Howard Bruce Pate, Jr. Obituary (1925 - 2016)

Howard Bruce Pate, Jr., 90, died peacefully, after a short illness, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center on Monday, November 14, 2016. He will be sorely missed by family, friends, his church and the Spring Lake community in which he lived and served for most of his life. Howard was born to Howard Bruce Pate, Sr. (Retired Master Sergeant) and Thelma Margaret Clark Pate in 1925, near Council, in Bladen County, NC. He and his family soon moved to Spring Lake (Manchester) in 1926 where his father was stationed at Fort Bragg. He attended Seventy First High School, Anderson Creek High School and graduated from Melrose (FL) High School in 1942. He joined the army in 1944, went through basic training and airborne training serving in the 506th regiment of the 101th Airborne Division (and later the 82nd Airborne Division) being deployed to Europe as a replacement in early 1945. He participated in the World War Two Victory Parade in New York City in January of 1946 and was discharged in 1946. He continued to serve his Country, retiring from the 13th Special Forces Group (Airborne) - US Army Reserves as a Sergeant Major in 1965. Howard was appointed postmaster of Spring Lake in 1951 and retired in 1982, after 31 years. He was a member of the National Association of Postmasters (NAPUS), serving in many roles, including state vice-president and as retired state president. He was a graduate of NCSU with a BS degree in Political Science. He married the love of his life, Nell Harrington Pate, in 1952. They recently celebrated their 64th year of marriage. Howard was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Spring Lake for most his life serving in many roles including Deacon, Elder, and Trustee. He was the Town of Spring Lake's Historian, serving from 1994 until his death, and was a Golden Citizen. He was a member of the Spring Lake Jaycees serving as the Charter President. He was a member of the Spring Lake Chamber of Commerce from 1962 until his death. He served as scoutmaster and cub master with the boy scouts receiving the Wood Badge, the Celtic Cross and Silver Beaver Award. He "thru" hiked the Appalachian Trail at age 60, in 1986, and was an active member of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy working on trial rehabilitation projects for many years in NC and VA. He will be remembered as a very kind man, always helping out his fellow man. He is survived by his wife, Nell Pate, two sons, Ron and Howard III, sister, Edith Cameron, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 17, 2016, at 2:00 PM in at First Presbyterian Church in Spring Lake with Pastor Gary Borcherding officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Riverview Memorial Gardens in Spring Lake. A visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday, November 16, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, you may make contributions in Howard's memory to the First Presbyterian Church of Spring Lake and/or the Boy Scout Troop 772 sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Spring Lake (mail to First Presbyterian Church, 101 Spring Avenue, Spring Lake, NC 28390) or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be made at adcockfuneralandcrematory.com