Donald Louis Pate

Donald Louis Pate was born September 29, 1945, in Hondo, Texas to JB and Faith Ellen (Walton) Pate. He departed this life February 28, 2026, at the age of 80 years, 5 months. Don, as he was known by most people graduated from Altus High School in 1964. He attended 1 year of college at what was known then as Altus Junior College. He left college to become a full-time pastor. Don was born again somewhere around 10 years old. He became a member of The Church of God in 1957.

Don felt the call to preach at an early age and as was mentioned earlier, begin pastoring in 1964. His first pastorate was at Worstell, Oklahoma which was a small country church near Ada, Oklahoma. From there he pastored in Oklahoma at Duncan, El Reno, Muskogee, Shawnee, and in Arkansas at Austin. He returned to Shawnee where he was pastoring at

the time of his passing. Don was a builder and was involved in building church buildings in Duncan, El Reno and Muskogee. He also was involved in building church parsonages in Duncan, El Reno and Muskogee. He helped pay for a lot of these projects by doing bake sales. He sold a lot of peanut brittle and pies to help pay church expenses. In total he pastored for over 61 years. Don also held various leadership positions in the church on the state and regional level.

Don’s greatest love was in the youth camp ministry. He started working in youth camps in 1964 and continued until his health declined in 2024. One of his first jobs at youth camp was the “pop man” meaning he ran the concession stand. He also worked in the kitchen as a cook which he worked at until he no longer could. He loved preparing the meals for the campers. He loved the interaction with the youth. Later he became the director of the annual Family Camp which he directed for over 30 years. Because he pastored smaller churches, he supplemented his income by doing construction work often with his dad. He also worked in the sales field. He was not a lazy man who kept busy doing something. Don enjoyed going to the Senior Citizens Center and playing games such as dominoes. He also was the bingo caller. He had many friends at the Center.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, JB and Faith Ellen Pate and his only sister Eufala Fay McCombs. He is survived by his brother, Romme Joe Pate and his wife Mary of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, brother-in-law, Earl Lewis McCombs of Duncan, Oklahoma, nephew Richard Dwayne McCombs of Duncan, Oklahoma, nieces Pamela Sue Clawson and husband David of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Melissa Dawn Archer and husband Dal of Kellyville, Oklahoma, Terri Deanna Whitney and husband Don of Kiefer, Oklahoma, Ramona Ann Johnson of Sand Springs, Oklahoma and Vicky Elaine Olson and husband Michael of Glenpool. He is also survived by several great nephews and nieces and cousins.

Don is also survived by his good friends Nathan and Joy Moore who were a great help the last few years of his life. He also is survived by many other friends. A special thanks to the staff at The Regency Skilled Nursing & Therapy and also Hospice nursing. Don will certainly be missed by all.