Donald Eugene Tate, 83, son of Arthur Clemons Tate and Essie Mae (Shepherd) Tate passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Donald was born in Rockmart, Georgia, on August 7, 1937.
After graduating from Rockmart High School, he attended Berry College studying Business Administration. He graduated from Georgia State College with a BBA degree in Hospital Administration, completing six months residency in Hospital Administration at Hamilton Memorial Hospital.
While attending college, he was Vice President of YMCA, Treasurer of the Religious Education Club, a member of the Georgia Society, reporter for the college newspaper, representative to Student Council and a member of the Concert Choir. Don was also a member of the Pi Epsilon Rho Hospital Administration Fraternity at Georgia State.
Don attended a six-week intensive training in auditing at Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank, Washington, D.C. He was awarded the Professional Designation CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) by the Institute of Internal Auditors.
While serving in the U.S. Army, he served as a statistical clerk as well as Clerk to Chief Nurse, 128th Evacuation Hospital, Ludwigsburg, Germany.
Don also worked as Lab and X-Ray technician and Surgical Technician, St. Joseph’s Infirmary, during his college years, as well as cashier in the business office of Georgia Baptist Hospital. His employment included working in the bank examination department of the Federal Reserve, Business Manager of Sam Howell Memorial Hospital, and at Lockheed-Georgia Employee Federal Credit Union, as first Internal Auditor.
In 1974, Don became the Administrator at Rockmart Aragon Hospital. During this tenure there, he testified before the Senate Sub Committee on Rural Healthcare. Next, he was employed by Floyd Medical Center as Administrator of the Family Practice Residency Program for 18 years.
Don was an active member of Rockmart First United Methodist Church for over 50 years, where he joyfully sang in the choir. He was also an active member of the Rockmart Community Chorus for 12 years.
He is survived by a brother, CL Tate (Doris), Rome, and a sister, Janet Tate Waters (Bill), Rockmart. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Eric Waters (Kathy), Jean Waters Evans, Mark Tate, and Sylvia Tate Chesser (Jay); great-nieces and nephews, Kate Waters McKinney (Wallace), William Waters (Jana), Steven Evans (McKenna), and Alexis Evans; and a great-great-niece, Mary Wallace McKinney.
A private family service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rockmart First United Methodist Church Choir, P. O. Box 152, Rockmart, GA 30153.
Freeman Harris Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral service for Mr. Donald Eugene Tate.
