Ray Thurman Pate

New Mexico, to Lonnie Joel Pate and Lennie Addie (Bartlett) Pate.  He attended school at Kenna and Milnesand, New Mexico.  Ray married Johnnie Bowley on July 3, 1941, in Portales, New Mexico.  Ray enlisted in the United States Army on November 18, 1942, serving in England during World War II as a machinist.  He was honorably discharged on November 23, 1945, at Drew Field, Florida Army Air Force Base.

Ray was ordained to the Gospel Ministry on November 26^th, 1950, at Shiloh Baptist Church in Coleman County, Texas.  He graduated from Howard Payne University, in Brownwood, Texas, on May 23, 1953, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  Ray pastored churches in Lubbock, Odessa, and Texline, TX; and Crossroads, Melrose, and Springer in NM.  He also was a building contractor and worked as a NM State Building Inspector and Chief Building Inspector of NM Commerce and Industries Division.

Ray’s wife of 68 years, Johnnie, preceded him in death on April 9, 2009.  A daughter, Donna Gertrude DeAguero, died in September 4, 2009.  Surviving children are Patricia Sharon (Sherry) Vestal and husband Jimmy of Jacksboro, TX; Joel Ray Pate and wife Chris of Mayhill, NM; and Rana Loechel St. Clair and husband Mike of Lubbock, TX; eight grandchildren, Paul Warren, Jason and Simon DeAguero, Lorissa Jackson, Joni Watson, Lindy Pate, Franklin St. Clair, and Loechel Ruth Macchi; and great-grandchildren, Isabel and Aynabel Warren; Amber and Casey (deceased)  DeAguero; Emily and Paul Jackson; Kagen and Jesi Watson.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, William Riley, Callie Mac, Cecil (Scott), and Leroy; and one sister Lucille.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Combest Family Funeral Homes with the family receiving friends 5:00-7:00 p.m. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 9, 2014 at Encounter at Shadow Hills Baptist Church with burial to follow at the City of Lubbock Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made in memory of Ray Pate to Dan and Miriam Pearce, 113 Wrangler Way, Clovis, New Mexico 88101.

Please celebrate the life of Ray by visiting www.combestfamilyfuneralhomes.com