Verbon V. Pate Jr. , 86, of Center, passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Bro. Porter Brewer and Bro. Harold Hanson will officiate.

Born November 13, 1937, in the Arcadia Community of Shelby County, Verbon is the son of Verbon Vester Pate Sr. and Lilly Mae Richards Pate.  He served in the United States Air Force.  Verbon was a member of First Baptist Church in Center, where he served as a deacon.  He considered it a great honor to serve his Lord and First Baptist Church and had a passion for God's Word.  Verbon was the pillar of strength for his family, always there when needed.  He was happiest when piloting a plane or traveling with Elizabeth in his fifth wheel touring the country, especially the mountains of Montana and the Dakotas.  There were few places in the USA, Canada and Mexico that he had not traveled.  He and Elizabeth were married for 65 years, living in Washington State for several years while serving in the Air Force.  After his discharge they moved to Lake Jackson where he worked for Dow Chemical Company, and later moved back home to Center, where he went into the cattle business.  Verbon's skills as a mechanic and electrician gave him pleasure in working on large locomotive engines to telephones.  Commuting to work at Marathon Oil Company for several years and having to be away from home, Elizabeth led Verbon to own Pate's Jewelry.  He mastered his skill with jewelry repair school, and soon became known as one of the best in East Texas.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Harris Pate of Center; brother, Jerry Pate and wife Deborah of Center; sister, Virginia Goodrum of Jacksonville; nieces and nephews, Clint Pate and wife Lori, Brandy Cook and husband John, Sherry Kidd and husband Steve, and Jeaniece Mukherjee; numerous great nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, Verbon Vester Pate Sr. and Lilly Mae Richards Pate.

Pallbearers will be Clint Pate, Scotty Wilkins, Ben Wilkins, Cade Harris, Clay Harris, and Teddy Hopkins.  Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org or DRT Scholarship Fund, c/o Merle Howard, 420 King Street, Center, Texas 75935.