Tyler Pate

Tyler George Pate passed away on March 17, 2011 in Austin, Texas.  He was born on November 29, 1949, arriving about five minutes after his twin brother, Tom.  “The Twins,” as sons of basketball coach Harvey R. Pate and Seneca High School basketball player, Laura Brady Pate, grew up playing the game at school in Houston, TX.  After high school, Tyler attended Wharton County Junior College, the University of Houston (where he played for his dad) and Kansas State College of Pittsburg on basketball scholarships.  After an undergraduate degree in physical education, he acquired a master’s degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia.             While coaching at his alma mater, WCJC, Ty worked on his doctorate in education at the University of Houston, becoming Dr. Tyler Pate in 1993.  Soon he moved into administration at WCJC, first as department chair, then division chair, and ultimately Senior Vice President of Instruction.            Ty is survived by his immediate family:  brother Tom and his wife Sheri of Austin; sister Laura Lea Burton and husband Trey of San Marcos, TX; sister Suzan Dix King and husband Dennis of New York City and his nephews: Scooter Blacklock and wife Andie of San Francisco; Brooks Burton of San Marcos, TX; Brady Jarvis and wife Molly and son Ian of Chicago, and Brett Jarvis of New York City.            A memorial and dedication for the Dr. Ty Pate Fitness Center will be held at Wharton County Junior College on April 1 beginning 1 pm (refreshments at noon).  Contributions can be made to the endowed scholarship being established in his name at the college:  Office of Dr. Betty McCrohan, WCJC, 911 Boling Highway, Wharton, TX   77488.