Rodney Wayne Tate, Sr, a true firecracker, born to Ruben
F. Tate, Jr, and Emma Tate on July 4,1956 in Denver,
Colorado. As a military family, he traveled with his parents
and 4 siblings. They even lived in Japan for two years.
At an early age, as a "Preacher's kid', Rodney accepted
Chrit as his savior. Attending his fathers church, Second
Baptist Church, in Paso Robles, California.
Rodney met Carolyn in 1979. He welcomed and took on
fatherhood to a very young Eric Walker and Erica Ford. In
1985, they welcomed a boy Rodney Tate, Jr. and another
girl in 1988, Desiree Tate. They married in September
1989. Rodney was a devoted husband, a nurturing and all
sacrificing father who taught his children the value of self-
reliance, perseverance, hard-work, and family
commitment.
Rodney and his started a Construction company called the
Tate Brothers Construction. All the brothers had a
mastered skilled trade for their business. He was a bus
driver for Denver Public Scholls and the Greyhound Bus.
He worked on the road as a truck driver at Burco
Industries until he retired.
Rodney loved being around his family and having family
gatherings. Rodney and Carolyn enjoyed taking their RV
out yearly on trips with his brothers and their families. He

had a hobby for fishing, remodeling his home, and keeping
a nice, clean Cadi.
On April 12, 2025, the Lord called Rodney Tate home to
his reward. He is preceded in death by his parents, his
wife, his sister, a stepbrother, and both of his sons.
Those left to cherish his memory include Brothers, Reggie
Tate (L), Michael Tate(L), Vernon Ramey Sr(L), Fred
Ramey(L). Sisters, Barbara Marshall (L), Sherrold
Smith(L), Daughters, Erica Ford(L), Desiree Tate(L) -
Grandchildren, Eric Walker Jr(L), Chester Banks IV(L),
Kiyasha Banks(L), Saniah Miles(L), Jeremiah Banks(L),
Jamiya Williams(L), 4 Great-grandchildren; and a host of
nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.