Michael "Mike" Harley Pate

Michael Harley Pate, 78, husband of Linda Smith Pate, of Dorchester, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Magnolias of Santee. 

Graveside Funeral Services will be held 3:00 PM Sunday at Dorchester Cemetery with Reverends Palmer Hudson, Barry Owens and Ronnie Brewer officiating.  Pallbearers will be Preston Buckley, Taylor Buckley, Jimmy Behie, Nathan Behie, Jay Hughes and Dennis Rhode.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Swamp Rats and Mike Maggard.

Mike was born on January 30, 1943, in Summerville, son of the late William Andrew Pate, Jr. and Sybil Alice Harley Pate.  He was a 1961 Valedictorian graduate of Harleyville Ridgeville High School, graduated from Furman University where he played baseball as short stop for the school’s only Conference Championship team.  After college, he played with the Ridgeville Reds for 25 years.  He retired as a Wood Procurement Agent with Atlantic Wood Industries for South Carolina after 30 years of service.  He was a dog trainer and quail hunting Guide for Brosnan Forest.  He was an active member of Salem United Methodist Church where he served as Men’s Bible Class teacher for 38 years and Sunday School superintendent.  Mike was a former schoolteacher, principal at Ridgeville Grammar School, headmaster at Mims Academy and Lord Berkeley Academy. He coached Dorchester Academy softball for many years leading them to two state championships and one state runner up.  He was a member of the Orangeburg Area Shag Club.

Surviving is his wife of 55 years, Linda Smith Pate, Dorchester; daughters, Karen (Danny Robbins) Pate, Summerton and Lynn (Kent) Judy, Reevesville; grandchildren, Megan Schwendinger, Fort Collins, CO; Katey Schwendinger, Tallahassee, FL; Corey Judy (the only grandson) and Krystal Judy, both of Reevesville.  The family would like to thank Randal Hiers and his staff at Magnolias and Edisto Home Care and Hospice. 

Memorials may be made to Dorchester (Harley) Cemetery, c/o Frank All, Jr., 757 School House Road, Dorchester, SC 29437.

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