Thomas Patete (12-14-12)

DULUTH - Thomas Robert Patete, 71, suddenly passed away Friday, December 14, 2012.

He was born in Elizabeth, N.J., on July 26, 1941 and grew up in Pensacola, Fla. Tom was married to Jane Carlyle Patete (nee Land) on July 29, 1966 and was married for 46 years.

Tom received his B.A. from Belhaven College in 1964 and his Master of Divinity at Columbia Theological Seminary in 1967. He began his ministry as assistant pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg, Miss., and pastored churches in Winona, Miss. and Marks, Miss. He served Christ's church through his position as Executive Director of Great Commission Publications for 34 years. Mr. Patete was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Lewis and Aleta Horton Patete.

Survivors include his wife, Jane; two children, Amy and husband Tim Gresham, and Robert Patete and wife, Christine; grandchildren, Seth, Paige and Ellie Gresham, and Annalise, Carlisle and Jesse Patete; a brother, Billy; and sister, Judi (Horton).

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 18, at Old Peachtree Presbyterian Church, 1756 Old Peachtree Rd., Duluth, Georgia. Please go to www.gcp.org.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to the organizations, which Tom dedicated 34 years of ministry service. Gifts may be marked "In memory of Thomas R. Patete." Each will be used for the development of material that will "proclaim God's wondrous deed...and His might to another generation."

Great Commission Publications, 3640 Windsor Park Drive, Suwanee, GA 30024

Presbyterian Church in American Christian Education and Publications, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 102, Lawrenceville, GA 30043-8122

Orthodox Presbyterian Church Committee on Christian Education, 607 N. Easton Road, Bldg. E, Willow Grove, PA 19090-2539.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch, is in charge of arrangements.

Send on-line condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.