Mr. Bobby C. Pate, 87, formerly of Hartwell, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024 at LaGrange Heritage Senior Living, LaGrange GA.

Born on November 29, 1936 in Jacksonville FL, he was the son of the late Richard Pate and Ada Dukes Pate Jeffries.  He is preceded by his wife of 63 years Donna Howe Pate who passed away this past May.

Coach Pate was a former American football player and coach. He played college football at South Georgia State College under then-head coach Bobby Bowden before finishing his career at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. At Presbyterian he was twice named player of the year and South Carolina Back of the Year (all colleges). He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1960 NFL draft, as well as by the Boston Patriots in the 1960 American Football League draft.

Coach Pate began his coaching career at Hart County High School as assistant football coach and Head Track coach from 1963-1965 . From 1965 -1974 he would serve as the Head Coach and Athletic Director at Toccoa High School, Norcross High School and Cherokee High School respectively.  Coach Pate entered the college football ranks as an assistant coach at Western Carolina University from 1974 to 1979.

His first collegiate head coaching job came at the University of West Georgia, where he served from 1981 to 1984. He led West Georgia to the 1982 NCAA Division III National Championship.

Coach Pate came back to Hart County in the mid 80's to become the Head Coach of the Hart County Bulldogs and coached them for several years before his retirement.

Survivors include his son: Elliott Pate (Jenny) of Carrollton GA; two granddaughters: Olivia Pate and Katie McCulloch (Matt) and two step-grandsons: Cole Tanner and Reed Tanner Jr. Mr. Pate was preceded in death by his parents; step-father: Plaz Jeffries; a daughter: Kathee Jones; a son: Lonn Pate; a brother: Charles Pate and a sister: Carolyn Pate.

The family will receive friends Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Hartwell First Methodist Church Gathering Area. Other times the family will be at their respective homes.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mr. Bobby Pate will be held Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hartwell First Methodist Church with Dr. Roe Callaway officiating. The services will be livestreamed on the Hartwell First Methodist Church Facebook Page.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to One Hart Beat Foundation, PO Box 696, 284 Campbell Drive, Hartwell GA  30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.