Wendall Travis Tate

Mr. Wendall Travis Tate, 80, of Clovis, died Sept. 30, 2005 at his home in Clovis.

He was born on April 22, 1925, in Clovis to Vernon and Ada Tate.

He was the youngest boy of 11 children. He graduated from Ranchvale in 1942. He was selected to attend San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center in 1943. He served in the Army-Air Corps and was honorably discharged in December, 1945. He married Laura Mae Jones in June, 1944, in Topeka, Kan. After 33 years as an engineer on the Atchinson Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, he retired in 1985 and devoted himself to quilting and poker.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Hardy, Norvell, Wayne, Blue, and Haney; and four sisters, Opal, Corinne, Vada Mae and Doris

He is survived by his wife, Laura Tate of Clovis; a sister, Betty Jo Stevens of San Diego, Calif.; a daughter, Linda Rickstrew of San Antonio, Texas; a granddaughter, Ashley Goldbaum of Clovis; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Dr. Herbert Bergstrom will officiate.

Burial will be at Mission Garden of Memories in Clovis.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Miller, Billy Tate, Phillip Tate, Larry Tate, Ben Goldbaum, and David Johns.

Memorial contributions may be made to Vista Care Hospice Foundation at 2708 N. Prince St., Clovis, or to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements by Steed-Todd Funeral Home in Clovis.