Rev. Dr. Maurice Tate, Sr, 64 of Springfield, passed away at Mercy Hospital Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014. He was born on Feb. 7, 1950 in Gary, IN to Harold and Virginia (Martin) Tate.

Dr. Tate''s greatest love was ministering to the community. He was an avid fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, liked to cook and sang professionally. He graduated high school in 1968 at Roosevelt High School, received his bachelor and masters degree at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO. and his PHD in Education in 1990 from the University of Nebraska. He taught music and African American Studies. He worked as a Diversity Counselor, a principal at Father Flanagan High School in Omaha, NE, Knox College in Galesburg, IL, Western Illinois University in McComb, IL and Illinois State in Bloomington, IL.

Preceding him in death were his parents; 1 sister, Bessie Jelks; 1 brother, Virgil Tate and a very close friend, Esther Webster.

Dr. Tate is survived by 2 sons, Reynaud Tate of Council Bluffs, IA and Maurice Tate, Jr. of Waukegan, IL; 2 nieces, Lisa & Shalonda Jelks from Gary, IN; 8 great-grand nieces and nephews and numerous friends and family.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 3, 2014 from 6-9 pm in Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at Midtown, 1635 N. Benton. Springfield, MO. Funeral services will be held at Deliverance Temple, 2101 W. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 at 11 AM. Burial will follow at Eastlawn Cemetery, 2244 E. Pythian, Springfield, MO.

Memorial donations may be made to The Rev. Dr. Maurice Tate, Sr. Memorial Fund at The Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at Rivermonte, 4500 S. Lone Pine Ave., Springfield, MO 65804