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Rev. John S Pate, Jr passed away on May 13, 2023 at the age of 90. He is preceded in death by the mother to his two sons and his former wife Ann Everett Livingston, as well as his sister Sara P Foshee . He is survived by his wife Janet L Pate, his one surviving sister Agatha Pate Ott (Robert), two sons John Stephen Pate “Steve” (Bobbie), and James F Pate “Jim” (Laurie), grandchildren Jeremy A Pate (Layla), James F Pate Jr (Maleeha),  Mary Amelia Pate, and Emily Pate Kiefer (Matt) great grandchildren Lucas Pate, Jackson Pate, and  David James Kiefer.

Known as “Johnny” by his longtime friends, he spent his last years in service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as a Baptist Pastor. Being born in Cordele on July 12, 1932, Johnny spent his years in Cordele in service to our community as the President of the Cordele Rotary Club, President of Jaycees, County Administrator, and many years as a local businessman.  He attended Auburn University before entering the United States Air Force as a Pilot in October 1952, and retired as a Major with over 20 years of combined active and reserve service. While serving as the President of the Rotary Club he coordinated the acquisition of the Titan Missile erected and mounted at I-75 which helped cement Cordele as a crossroads landmark for travelers throughout the east coast. At the age of 28, he was the youngest ever owner of a Standard Oil Agency and later spent several years as an Amoco Oil jobber. He sold those businesses to concentrate on the family cotton ginning business, subsequently building the most modern cotton gin in the eastern United States. In 1996 Johnny became aware that all the focus of his life had not given him real satisfaction and contentment. From the time he left the USAF one of his main objectives was being profitable financially and he realized that he needed to have God front and center in his life. He was tired of dancing around Gods call to ministry that he had felt in his life for many years. He was ordained as a Baptist minister March 14, 2004.

Through his life he always tried to treat his friends and customers as he would like to be treated, taking to heart Jesus’ words according to Luke to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Many around the community knew and tasted of Johnny and “Miss Janet’s “fudge ministry”. They would always have Psalm 34:8 printed on the gift “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good”. Johnny is now truly tasting the goodness of the Lord as he reaps his reward in the presence of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2023 in the chapel of Rainey Family Funeral Services with burial following in Sunnyside Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m.