[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN MEMORY OF BRIGADIER GENERAL VERNON RODNEY TATE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2018

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on February 3, 2018, a 
memorial service was conducted at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church 
of Annapolis, Maryland, to honor the life of Brigadier General Vernon 
Rodney Tate, Sr.
  I include in the Record the following obituary published in The Post 
and Courier on February 1, 2018:

       Brigadier General Vernon Rodney ``Rod'' Tate, Sr. passed 
     away peacefully on January 28, 2018, in his home on Daniel 
     Island, South Carolina, with his beloved wife, Lynn, his 
     children and two faithful rescue cats, Frankie and Cooper, by 
     his side. He celebrated his 80th birthday this past November 
     with family. Rod was born on November 18, 1937, in 
     Washington, D.C. to Dr. Vernon Dale Tate and Katherine Ann 
     (Moore) Tate, and lived his childhood years in Hingham, 
     Massachusetts. Rod earned his Eagle Scout rank as member of 
     Troop 25 in Hingham, Massachusetts. He moved to Annapolis 
     with his family in 1954 when his father began serving as 
     Director of Libraries at the U.S. Naval Academy. Rod 
     graduated from Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Massachusetts, in 
     1957. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business 
     Administration from the University of Maryland in 1961, where 
     he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the 
     University of Maryland Swim Team. He later received a Masters 
     of Business Administration at George Washington University 
     with a focus on International Marketing in 1967. Rod began 
     his career working at Xerox Corporation. He later founded 
     Nationwide Fulfillment Systems located in Ridgely, Maryland, 
     serving Fortune 500 companies. During this time, he served in 
     the U.S. Air Force and spent his last five years in service 
     as a Brigadier General, USAF, working in the Office of 
     Special Investigations (AFOSI), which included duties at the 
     Pentagon, Office of Secretary of the Air Force. He was also a 
     Mobilization Assistant to the Inspector General (SAFIG). Upon 
     retirement from the Air Force, Brigadier General Tate 
     received the Distinguished Service Medal.
       Rod and his late wife, Missy, founded Weems Creek Nursery 
     School and Kindergarten, Annapolis, MD in 1972, which, 46 
     years later continues making a difference in children's 
     lives. They also established Super Skate roller rink together 
     in 1979. During retirement, Rod and his son, Vernon (Skip) 
     Rodney Tate, Jr. founded Recreation World RV Center, 
     Annapolis, MD. Over his lifetime, Rod was involved in many 
     philanthropic causes, serving in various capacities including 
     Anne Arundel Medical Center, the Evangelical Presbyterian 
     Church of Annapolis, the Annapolis Area Christian School, the 
     Summit School, Cushing Academy, Fellowship of Christian 
     Athletes and other organizations. Rod was a member of the 
     Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Annapolis, the Annapolis 
     Yacht Club (AYC), the Rehoboth Beach Country Club, U.S. Naval 
     Academy Golf Club, and the New Providence Club in Annapolis. 
     Most recently, he has cherished his time attending East 
     Cooper Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant, SC and hosting weekly 
     Bible studies with his wife. He was an active member at the 
     Daniel Island Club. Rod lived a full life and enjoyed sailing 
     and Wednesday Night Races at AYC, traveling, golf, restoring 
     historic homes, was an automobile enthusiast, and most of 
     all, cherished spending time with his family.
       Rod is survived by his wife, Lynn of 10 years; his sons, 
     Vernon Rodney (Skip) Tate, Jr., (Katharine), William Paul 
     Tate; his daughters, Hilda Margaret (Maggie) Tate Riith 
     (Michael), all from Annapolis and Elizabeth Downing Jowett, 
     (Marshall) of Yale, Michigan, from his 43 year marriage with 
     the late Missy Tate; ten grandchildren; and a sister, 
     Charlotte Tate Bendell (Alfred) of Hagerstown, MD. Visitation 
     will be held on Friday, February 2, 2018, from 5:00pm-8:00pm 
     at the John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester 
     Street, Annapolis, MD. The service will be held on Saturday, 
     February 3, 2018 at 2:00pm at the Evangelical Presbyterian 
     Church of Annapolis, 710 Ridgely Avenue, Annapolis, MD. 
     Interment will follow at the St. Margaret's Episcopal Church 
     Cemetery, 1601 Pleasant Plains Road, Annapolis, MD.
       Those wishing to do so may make donations to one of the 
     philanthropies mentioned above, Respite Care Charleston, 
     Dementia & Alzheimer's Support, the Charleston Animal Society 
     or the Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland. Condolences may be 
     sent to the family at wwwjohnmtaylorfuneralhome.com.

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