BBBTV12 Serving Anderson, Roane, and Morgan Counties
Jerry Wayne Tate, age 80, of Harriman, passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville. He was born on October 20, 1945, in Rockwood to the late Eugene and Pauline Tate.
Jerry was a member of Riverside Baptist Church. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of E-5 Sergeant. During his military service, he was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. Jerry also retired from the Harriman Fire Department. Above all he loved his family and treasured the time spent with those closest to him.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Viola “Tootsie” Tate; parents, Eugene and Pauline Tate; sisters, Barbara Jean Jones and Sandra Nelson; and brother, Gary Tate.
Jerry is survived by his daughter, April Tate of Friendsville; sisters, Shirley Seely of Kevil, Kentucky and Ketta Smith of Harriman; brother-in-law, Keith Adkins and wife Tammy of Ten Mile; special nephew, Scott Jones & wife Angie of Harriman; special family friends, Crystal Neeley of Harriman, Erika Ambrose & Alicia Ambrose of Oliver Springs, Brooklyn Ambrose of Harriman; Danette, Candace & Wyatt Winkler of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; along with extended family and friends who will miss him dearly.
The family will receive friends 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Monday, August 24, 2026, at Fraker Funeral Home with funeral service to follow at 6:00 pm, in the chapel with Bro. Steve Turner officiating. Interment will be held 1:00 pm, Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Oak Grove Cemetery. Online register book can be signed at www.frakerfuneralhome.net. Fraker Funeral Home of Kingston is honored to serve the family of Jerry Wayne Tate.
