Claude R. Tate, Jr.

Claude R. Tate Jr., age 61, of Asheboro passed away Thursday, April 25, 2013, in Hendersonville, N.C. The family will receive friends at a Celebration of Life gathering at The Exchange, 204 S. Fayetteville St., Asheboro on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, from 6 - 8 p.m. Parking is available on Fayetteville Street and behind The Exchange. Mr. Tate was born November 11, 1951, the son of Claude Ravon and Shirley Lowery Tate. Mr. Tate was a native of Ossipee, NC. He was a lifelong learner. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History at Appalachian State University, a Masters of Arts in History and a Masters of Liberal Arts, both at UNC-Greensboro. Claude also earned a Certificate in Distance Education at West Georgia University. As a teacher, he fostered a creative classroom that engaged students to make learning as fun for them as it was for him. He retired from teaching history at Southwestern Randolph High School in 2008 and worked for the past eight years as an adjunct professor in the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Program at UNC-Greensboro. Claude loved his family, the mountains, and Appalachian State football. He was preceded in death by his parents and a half-brother: Kenneth Booe. Claude is survived by his wife of 35 years, Suzanne Chatham Tate; son and his wife, Matthew and Ashley Tate of Florence, S.C.; two grandchildren, Mason Tate and Adeline Tate, both of Florence, S.C.; half-brother and his wife, William R. and Kay Booe of Elon, N.C.; one niece, five nephews, two great nieces and one great nephew. He is loved dearly by all his family and friends. In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorials be made to: Friends of DuPont State Forest, P.O. Box 2107, Brevard, N.C. 28712, or a charity of the donor's choice. Please share your remembrances and condolence with the family at: www.pughfuneralhome.com. Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is assisting the Tate Family.