Mr. James C. Tate, 72, of Galesburg, Illinois died 6:53 a.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Galesburg Cottage Hospital.
He was born November 27, 1948 in Peoria, Illinois to Everett and Catherine (Fortune) Tate. He married Helen King in Peoria on June 2, 1973. She survives. He later married the love of his life, Anntoinette Mixon September 28, 2003. She survives as well.
Also surviving are two sons, James C. Tate II of Peoria and Craig Williams of Galesburg; four daughters, Shyla Mixon-Williams of Des Moines, Iowa, Mattie Williams of Galesburg, Jacqueline Tate of Galesburg, and Brittany Tate of Galesburg; a brother, Curtis Shumate of Peoria; two sisters, Evelyn Clayton of Peoria and JoAnn Burns of Peoria; three special nephews, Jontarius Tate of Galesburg, Dontarius Tate of Galesburg, and Jaron Mixon-Jackson of Galesburg; a grandson he helped raise, Ronald Thomas of Galesburg and 17 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Robert Tate, Howard “Billy” Fortune, John Tate, and Everett Tate, Jr.; and a sister, Mary Belle Shockley.
James attended Manuel High School in Peoria. He worked for L.I. Mills in Peoria. He later worked for Caterpillar Manufacturing Company for 38 years and retired in 2011. After retirement, James worked for the Galesburg Register-Mail for seven years. James was a very dedicated and loyal worker. He was a member of New Home Missionary Baptist Church in Galesburg.
Tate was a faithful St. Louis Cardinals fan and Chicago Bears fan. He enjoyed gambling and always played the Lotto. James was above all a family man. He was always in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. James was most certain a people person, had tons of friends, and would do anything to put a smile on your face. He loved to host cook-outs and sporting events for the family. Tate was always the main entertainment whether it was him showing off his dancing skills or him telling his life stories. James enjoyed listening to music and played tons of cards and dominos. He was a great father, husband, grandpa, and uncle and will be missed dearly.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Due to guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and facemasks will be required with limited occupancy. A private funeral service will be Friday, January 15, 2021. Rev. Robert Jones will officiate. Those wishing to attend the funeral “virtually” may watch the live broadcast at 1 p.m. Friday on the funeral home’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hinchliff-Pearson-West-Funeral-Directors-and-Cremation-Services-1603336644037824. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral service. Memorials may be made to the family to set up a trust account for the grandchildren. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
