Gerald A. “Jerry” Pate, 82, of Statesville, N.C., passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 11, 2019.

He was born in Adrian, Mich., on October 2, 1937, to the late John Pate and Dorothy Snyder Pate.

Jerry was loved by all who knew him, and he touched many lives through coaching Little League and Mickey Mantle Baseball. Jerry loved his children and grandchildren and took great pride in all of their accomplishments. He was a mentor in the Big Brother, Big Sister program for many years to a very special young man.

He is survived by his wife of 57½ years, Beverly Joan Iffland, whom he married on April 14, 1962. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon Pate Hill of Adrian, Mich., along with his daughter, Kristen Rash and her husband Duane, and son, Steven Pate; and grandchildren, Andrew and Lukas Eller and Abigail Pate.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2019, at 2pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul St. Clair officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

The family will gather and receive friends at Nicholson Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Iredell County Hospice and Palliative Care, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or Big Brother, Big Sister, P.O. Box 5441 Statesville, NC 28687.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com.

Nicholson Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Pate Family.