Dr. John Louis Tate

Dr. Tate was a graduate of Walter Williams High School in Burlington, where he played football.  Thereafter, he received an athletic scholarship to Wofford College, where he was a member of the varsity football team.  He earned his BS degree in Chemistry in 1958, and then attended the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in Richmond, Va.  After graduation, he worked at the VA Hospital in Richmond before entering the U.S. Air Force.  After four years, he left the Air Force with the rank of Captain and returned to Spartanburg where he practiced dentistry for many years.

Dr. Tate and his family were long-time members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Spartanburg.  He sang in the choir, was a Sunday School teacher and lay leader.  He also was a member of the downtown Sertoma Club. 

His survivors include his daughters, Lucinda T. Allen (Terry) and their sons, Trabert (Kristen) and Wells (Ashley); Kimberly T. Smythe (Pemberton) and sons, Walker and Will (Rebecca); Marianne T. Acevedo (Armando) and their daughter, Natalie and step-daughter Alex; Alecia T. Compton and her daughters, Darcy, Chloe, and Mary Grace; his brother, James E. Tate (Frances) and his sister, Jean Arthur Davis (Wilson). 

A Celebration of life will be held at a later date.