25 LC 112 3262
House Resolution 514
By: Representative Powell of the 33
rd
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Bobby C. Pate; and for other purposes.
1
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2
with the passing of Bobby C. Pate on September 28, 2024; and3
WHEREAS, Bobby C. Pate was born on November 29, 1936, in Jacksonville, Florida, a4
beloved son of Richard Pate and Ada Dukes Pate Jeffries; and5
WHEREAS, he was a gifted athlete who played college football at South Georgia State6
College under then–head coach Bobby Bowden before transferring to Presbyterian College,7
where he was twice named Player of the Year and South Carolina Back of the Year; and8
WHEREAS, his athletic talent earned him selection in both the 1960 NFL Draft by the San9
Francisco 49ers and the 1960 American Football League Draft by the Boston Patriots; and10
WHEREAS, following his playing career, he dedicated himself to coaching, beginning as an11
assistant football coach and head track coach at Hart County High School from 1963 to 196512
before serving as head coach and athletic director at Toccoa High School, Norcross High13
School, and Cherokee High School between 1965 and 1974; and14
H. R. 514
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WHEREAS, he transitioned into college coaching as an assistant coach at Western Carolina
15
University from 1974 to 1979 and later earned his first collegiate head coaching position at16
the University of West Georgia, where he led the team to an NCAA Division III National17
Championship in 1982; and18
WHEREAS, he later returned to Hart County in the mid-1980s to serve as head coach of the19
Hart County Bulldogs, leading and mentoring young athletes for several years before his20
retirement; and21
WHEREAS, he was united in love and marriage to his wife, Donna, with whom he shared22
63 wonderful years, and the two were blessed with three remarkable children, Elliott, Kathee,23
and Lonn; and24
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Bobby C. Pate will long be remembered25
for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great26
fortune of knowing him.27
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that28
the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Bobby C. Pate and express29
their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.30
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized31
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the32
family of Bobby C. Pate.33
H. R. 514
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