Willie Lee "Coach" Tate

Our world is much richer, because we were blessed to have Coach Willie Lee Tate in our lives. This “Man for All Seasons” began his earthly sojourn through life on September 5, 1942, in Gum Springs, Arkansas. He completed his journey when his immortal spirit soared to its resting place on March 8, 2012, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He was the 11th of fourteen children born to Mr. Jay Lee and Mrs. Elnora Anderson Tate. As a boy, Willie proved to be personable, full of life, strong and determined. He was blessed with big beautiful bright eyes and a contagious smile that was certain to capture your attention. Without prejudice, he eagerly used his vivacious charm and enormous sense of humor to lighten the heavy hearts of all he knew. At an early age, he made a personal decision to accept Christ as his Savior at St. Ruth Baptist Church in Gum Springs, Arkansas. Willie continued in the pursuit of spiritual growth and service throughout his life. Willie was educated in Arkadelphia and was a 1962 graduate of Peake High School. There he excelled as a student and showed tremendous enthusiasm and excellence in basketball, football, and track. He was just a natural athlete and had a drive to be physically fit and in the best condition. A competitive athlete for most of his years, he refused to look for any advantages over opponents other than his own natural abilities. He furthered his education by attending Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas now UAPB. At AM&N College, Willie had a stellar career as an athlete in running track, playing football where he served as the team captain and baseball. In 1966, he played the Guard position for the Ebony College Scoreboard - All American Football Team representing AM&N College Golden Lions. He also earned Southwestern Athletic Conference honors in both football and baseball. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at AM&N College in 1968 and Master of Science degree in Physical Education from Henderson State University in 1978. Willie Received offers to go professional in football and baseball. He also played semi-pro baseball and served as the pitcher on an all white team at that time. He pitched many a “no hitter” and knocked countless home runs over the fence. His first coaching job in 1968 was at Yeager High School and later Hope High School after integration where he served as defensive coordinator and head track coach. It was there that he was rightfully proclaimed “Coach Tate”. He coached in Hope until 1973 before moving on to Arkadelphia to serve as football coach at Goza Junior High School with the legendary Coach John Outlaw. His accomplishments in athletics are many and legendary. In 1976, Coach Tate moved to Arkadelphia High School where he spent 15 years as head track coach and defensive coordinator. One of the most notable highlights of his life was where he helped the Badgers win nine district football championships, as well as, Class AAA State championships in 1979 and 1987. He also coached three 7AAA championship track teams, and finished second in the Class AAA meet eight different times. He was named Track Coach of the year on more than one occasion. Coach Tate left Arkadelphia School District with a total of 23 years combined coaching experience. In 1990, Coach Willie Tate made history as the first black head track coach of Henderson State University. Coach was a rare “rich gift” who never met a stranger and inspired everyone who crossed his path. Coach Tate was inducted years ago into the Hope Athletic Hall of Fame and in 1988 was selected to serve as part of the coaching staff for the Arkansas High School West All-Star Football Squad. As we retrace the footprints of Coach Willie Tate we can only give thanks for the many lives he touched along life’s journey. A self confident man, he was blessed to enjoy many of God’s blessings as a child, a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle, a coach and a friend. In spite of all the above, Willie always felt that his greatest achievement was in marrying his wife Annie on November 19, 1967. Together, they shared a beautiful devotion of 44 years with one another that radiated like a brilliant and beautiful light for others to emulate. To their inseparable and prosperous union, God blessed them with the gift to mentor both male and female young athletes who went on not only to athletics, but successful careers as doctors, lawyers or other professionals. Coach Tate had many hobbies, but his fondest pastime was golf. He was a die-hard golf fan. In July 2011, Courtyard Gardens honored Coach Tate by spear-heading the 1st Annual Willie Tate Golf Classic to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association to support research for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Coach Tate represented the essence of what sports meant to its students, its community and the world. He was truly a Coach; God used that ability to devote himself to serve others, his gift, to inspire all of us whom he worked. Our memories of him will serve as a beacon. He was preceded in death by four brothers, James Tate, Samuel Tate, J.L. Tate, David Lee Tate and two sisters, Mary Francis Mitchell and Ella Neal. He leaves to celebrate and honor his life’s journey: a devoted wife of 44 years, Annie M. Nelson Tate; five sisters, Laura Tate and Essie Jackson of Gum Springs; Gertha (Lloyd) Duncan of Mt. Pine; Dorothy Butler of Portland, Oregon and Elverna Tate of Los Angeles, California; two brothers, Oliver (Shirley) Tate of Wichita Fall, Texas, and Donald (Debra) Tate of Los Angeles, California; one stepbrother, Meldine (Brenda) Ivory of Gum Springs; three stepsisters, Bobby Dowling of Chicago, Illinois, Eddie Kinkaid of Dallas, Texas and Carolyn Owens of North Little Rock; four sisters-in-law, Geneva Tate of Chicago, IL, Sherrell Giles of Arkadelphia, Brenda K. Smith of Hot Springs, Ollie Litt of Japan; three brothers-in-law, Robert Earl (Betty) Nelson of Arkadelphia, Doug (Mary) Nelson of Arkadelphia, and Terry (Frances) Nelson of Arkadelphia; a host of relatives, former students, friends, and the St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church family. Coach Tate will lie in repose at the funeral home on Friday, March 16th from 12 noon until 4 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6-7pm at St. Ruth Baptist Church in Gum Springs, Arkansas. The last farewell will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Second Baptist Church, 815 S. 12th, Arkadelphia. Rev. Thomas Hale of St. Ruth Baptist Church will officiate and Rev. Ezekiel Vaughn, his nephew and an Associate Minister at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Plano, Texas will preach the message. The committal service and final resting place will be in St. Clair-Burtsell Cemetery. Special thanks to administration and staff at Courtyards Gardens for their impeccable and genuine care given to Coach during his stay. Memorials in honor of Coach Tate may be made to: ‘Willie Tate Golf Classic” to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association c/o Courtyard Gardens Health and Rehab, LLC. 2701 Twins Rivers Drive, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923.