Cover photo for Forrest G. Tate's Obituary
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Forrest

Forrest G. Tate

Forrest Gale Tate,

90, passed away peacefully February 13, 2017 at his home in Chandler, AZ surrounded by family and friends, ready to meet his Father in Heaven or as he would often say “ready to go to the big car auction in the sky”.

Forrest was born in Chandler October 28, 1926 to Charles and Lesbia Tate, the youngest of 5 children, Bertha Vest, Lucille Carson, Edith Shepard

and Lloyd Tate for which he was predeceased in death by all.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Linda, sons Jim(Dana), Robert (Lois), Terry (Darla), Charles, step-sons David Berry (Teresa), Rick Berry (Amy), step-daughter Cindy Berry, 19 grand and 22 great-grandchildren.

Forrest was a graduate of Chandler High School in 1944.

His father was the Chandler Postmaster which provided him the opportunity to work around the post office.

He became determined to follow in his father’s footsteps and make the postal service a life career. Once graduated, Forrest enlisted in the Army Air Corps in January 1944 and served honorably.

He returned to find there would be no position available so he turned to what became his life career – the car business.

Kirby-Simmons Motor Company hired Forrest on the GI Bill as a Parts Department Trainee.

He would later work for Indian School Auto Sales, Madison Motors, became a partner in Holiday Chevrolet, Berge Ford and finally Earnhardt Ford where he enjoyed a life-long friendship with Tex Earnhardt.

He left Earnhardt’s for the opportunity to own his own Ford Dealership.

Gene Hall of Hall Motors in Holbrook, AZ gave him that opportunity.

In 1979 he and Linda purchased the dealership from Hall and later in 1987 he and his wife brought in the Chrysler franchises and it became Tate’s Auto Center.

In recent years, they acquired dealerships in Show Low, Winslow and Gallup, NM.

Tate’s Auto Center was indeed a family business with most of his sons involved at different times over the years and his partner in business and life, Linda.

Forrest served on numerous automotive boards, including Ford’s regional advertising, the Arizona Auto Dealer Association’s Board of Directors for 12 years starting in 1982 just to name a few.

Forrest enjoyed family and friends and appreciated the loyalty of all with reference to his business and life-long friendships.

He was a friend and mentor to many but most importantly the Patriarch of his family.

Memorial Services will be held and his businesses closed in his honor Monday February 20, 2017, 11AM at Saint Matthews Episcopal Church, 901 W Erie in Chandler.

Immediately following there will be a luncheon to celebrate his life and share stories of this great man at the Chandler Center of Arts, 250 N Arizona Ave, Chandler.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Forrest G. Tate, please visit our flower store.

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