Donald Wayne Pate, 81, of Calera, Okla., passed away on February 25, 2021 while at Medical City of Plano.
Wayne was born to Jesse and Willie Pate on September 10, 1939 in Calera, Okla. He graduated from Calera High School in 1957 and married his high school sweetheart Janie McGehee on October 8, 1957 eloping to Odessa, Texas.
As a young husband, he began his career working as a milkman for Foremost Dairy, Gandy’s and Borden’s in West Texas. Wanting to return to the roots of his family, Wayne began farming when he moved his family to Texoma. He then owned and operated Wayne Pate Trucking, hauling grain to many farming operations across the region. His passion for a job well done and his strong work ethic allowed him to remain self-employed throughout his life. His greatest pride was knowing he had provided for his family, and nothing was more fulfilling to him than a hard day’s work. 
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Charles Pate and Lewie Pate of Calera, Okla., and Ray Pate of Odessa, Texas.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janie Pate of Calera, Okla,; son, Kenneth Pate and wife Kendra of Calera, Okla.; son Allen Pate wife, Tina of Princeton, Texas; daughter, Melissa Pate of Calera, Okla.; grandchildren: Kacie Welch, Charles Pate, Kristin Boehme, Alissa Waters, Caleb Judkins and eight great grandchildren.
The immediate family will honor Wayne with a private memorial. 
The family of Donald Wayne Pate wishes to extend sincere thanks to the staff at Texoma Medical Center and Medical City of Plano where he received exceptional care from compassionate professionals in his last days.
The family is being assisted in arrangements by Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Okla.
www.holmescoffeymurray.com