Lamar Tate

Candler Edwin Lamar Tate, 74, of 90 Shuler Road, passed away Sunday, December 27, 2009 at the Charles George VA Medical Center. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, Mr. Tate served in the US Army. He began his working career driving a truck for Esso Gasoline Company, while working on the weekends with the pit crew of Mario Rossis NASCAR team. He then owned and operated the White Pine Exxon, as well as his own tractor-trailer. In his latter years, Mr. Tate served in the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Unit of the Buncombe County Sheriffs Department under Sheriff Lyda. He was a member of Bent Creek Baptist Church. Mr. Tate was the son of the late Thomas Daniel and Esta Nita Maney Tate. Surviving are his sons: Mitch Tate of Asheville and Mark Tate of Hendersonville; grandchildren: Michael Tate and Austin Tate; sister, Doris Virginia Freck of Charlotte; and brother, Charles Daniel Tate of Asheville. The family will receive friends from 12:30-2 PM Wednesday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home, with the funeral services starting at 2 PM in the chapel. The Rev. Porter Jennings will officiate. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park with military graveside rites provided by the Buncombe County Veterans Council Memorial Team.