Jim Pate was born in Johnson City, TN to Clifton and Lena Pate (nee Peterson). When he was 9 years-old, Jim’s family moved to suburban Philadelphia, but the Tennessee mountains were Jim’s home and he knew someday he would return.
In 1973, Jim and his new bride Susan came back to Washington County and put down some deep roots. Jim bought land in Gray and turned it from wilderness into paradise. He cleared the land, dug the well, ran the electric lines and made a beautiful, comfortable home.
Jim worked at Eastman Chemical at night and was a construction apprentice with Buddy Day Construction during the day. All his hard work and sacrifice paid off and in 1979, Jim earned his contractor’s license and began Jim Pate Construction and then Main Street Woodshop in Kingsport. Jim made the dreams of many homeowners come true with his unique combination of hard work, integrity and building skills. There are many beautiful homes in the Tri Cities area that will always remain straight, true and sound because Jim Pate autographed his work with excellence. Jim’s business was very important to him but that was far from his only focus in life. Jim was a faithful member of the Jackson Park Covenant Brethren Church in Jonesborough where he served on the Vision Committee and put his leadership skills to work for the future growth of his Church.
Jim also had a passion for the outdoors. Jim hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail and visited many of the National Parks. He liked nothing better than a long walk up a big hill with Susan or the grandkids beside him. His last road trip to Glacier National Park took him about as close to heaven as a man can get.
Jim loved God and his Country and served them both faithfully, but his reason for all that he did was his love for his family. Jim and Susan (Satchell) had two daughters Sarah Pate and Megan Crumley. Sarah is married to Dustin Gingrow and they have a daughter, Rosalyn. Megan is married to Will Crumley with two sons, Leyton and Emory.
In addition to his wife Susan, Jim is survived by his Sister Jeannie Evans and her family, husband Don, daughter Shelley Sluder and Alena his niece. Jim also leaves behind his brother and sisters-in-law, Ed and Linda Satchell, Sharon and Steven Francis, Carolyn Campbell and Patricia Hurley and Mother-in-law Helen Satchell and many many treasured Peterson and Pate cousins. Jim made friends everywhere he went and touched the lives of everyone he met.
On Saturday April 2, while working on his property the Lord called him home. He leaves behind a great legacy of hard work, determination, love and humor.
The celebration of Jim Pate’s life will take place at the Jackson Park Covenant Brethren Church 100 Oak Grove Avenue Jonesborough TN 5:00 pm, Wednesday April 6, 2022.
Memorial Donations can be made to Camp Placid 224 Camp Placid Road Blountville TN 37617 or Jackson Park Covenant Brethren Church Building Fund 100 Oak Grove Ave. Jonesborough TN 37659
Well Done Good and Faithful Servant - Matthew 25:23
04/26/2022
Jarrett and Bonnie Edwards
Susan, Sarah, Megan and all the family, we surround you with love and prayers as we remember Jim as a good and kind man of faith. May your fond memories give you comfort.
I send my sincere sympathy to the family. As a now retired construction finance officer for a local bank I can say that there was not a better construction contractor than Jim Pate. And I say this after 34 years in the business. What a genuine good person, gentleman and professional he was. When Jim was the project’s contractor there were no problems or issues that would arise. I really liked Jim and I know your hearts are saddened. I praise God for having known him and I will pray for the family in the coming days.
04/07/2022
Frank and Gigi McCollum
We were blessed to have Jim build our home. We considered him a friend as well. We knew we could trust and count on him to build a good house..He was truly a fine man and his family is in our prayers at this tremendous loss.
So sorry for your loss. Praying for you all.
04/06/2022
Mary Ellen Glass
Jim was such a fine Gentleman and his work amazing.... my thoughts and prayers are with you all....
So sorry for your loss, Jim was just a great guy and I always enjoyed talking with him, I will miss Jim, God bless your family.
Sarah, I am sorry to learn of your father's death. We seem to have shared much in common. We were both born in the same year, we both loved hiking, we've both hiked stretches of the AT, we both visited a number of national parks, and we both fell in love with Glacier. He was quite handy and I'm married to a woman who is quite handy. Though I never met him (or even you), he sounds as if he would have made a great and welcome addition to my now disbanded wilderness group, and that is the highest accolade I can give to anyone.
04/05/2022
Holtzclaw Guttering
We extend our condolences to you and your family, Jim was a great person to be around and will be sadly missed.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers ? Jim will be so missed. He always had the big smile and warm greeting for everyone!
My Prayers are with you Susan & the whole family in the loss of Jim. I pray God will surround you in the coming days with his loving & merciful arms. Teresa Boggs
04/04/2022
Teresa Milhorn
So sorry for your loss
