Obituary: Dan Pate

Dan Pate, 69, of Chapel Hill, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, at his residence following an extended illness.

A native of Andalusia, Ala., Mr. Pate was a son of the late William Belton and Sarah Lee Smith Pate. Dan was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force, having served during the Vietnam War and was a retired computer operator. He loved country music and was a songwriter and recipient of a gold record from RCA Records for his song "It Don't Hurt to Dream," recorded by Ronnie Milsap. Dan had a special love and great pride for his two grandsons and great-grandson.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Jane Pate of Chapel Hill; a daughter, Dana Caldwell of Chapel Hill; a son, Cash Pate of Chapel Hill; a brother, Gary Pate of Mobile, Ala.; a sister, Dorinda Duvall of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; two grandsons, Justin and Joey Caldwell; and a great-grandson, Gage Kearns-Caldwell.

A Memorial Service in Alabama will be scheduled at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718

Lawrence Funeral Home and Cremation Services was in charge of arrangements.