On August 15, 1942, David Brantley Pate was born to Geneva and Francis Pate in Eastland, TX. His father was a Mobil Oil engineer, and so he spent his early childhood living in oil camps in Premont and Vanderbilt, TX. When he was a teenager, the family moved to Oklahoma, and he graduated from Duncan High School in 1960. Notably, he was certified as an Eagle Scout on 4/13/58.

During David’s senior year at Texas A&M (class of 64) he was recruited to join the Navy. Upon completion of Navy Flight School, he received his officer’s commission and his naval aviator wings. He had a remarkable 20+ year career in the navy that included 2 tours in the West Pacific during the Viet Nam War. He made over 600 carrier landings and had over 6,000 flight hours. The airplanes he flew the most were the A1 Skyraider (SPAD), the A3D, and the EA-6B. David loved flying and was proud to be a Naval Aviator. His nickname was ‘Navy Dave’.

In 1972 he met the love of his life Mary Ellen McHale, a navy nurse, while his squadron was stationed in Guam; they were married 52 years. In 1982 their son David Pate, Jr., was born in New Jersey while David Sr. was stationed at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, his last duty station before retiring in 1984. After retirement David returned to College Station, TX with his family to complete his undergraduate degree. He did two years of post-graduate work in entomology before accepting a position flying King Air’s for the Texas A&M University System, a position he held for over twenty years. Even after retiring from that position, he continued to fly for private businesses. He loved flying airplanes.

David was an avid reader, he loved reading science fiction, books about natural science, and history. His hobbies included playing poker, riding motorcycles, and watching sports., and he was well known for his storytelling. He was often seen in his neighborhood riding his electric tricycle. He was a long-time member of the unitarian Universalist Church of the Brazos Valley, serving as President and Treasurer, and was on the Property Committee for many years.

He died under hospice care at home on June 1, 2026, unexpectedly, from cancer. He’s preceded in death by his brother Francis, Jr. and his sister-in-law Gail. He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen, his son David, Jr., grandson Ari; sister Mary Carolyn White (Michael), and many nieces and a nephew.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 18 at the Unitarian Universalist Church.