Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

July 10, 2023

CHARLOTTE – James Vernon Tate, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully from complications related to Parkinson’s disease on Monday, July 10, 2023, at the age of 87.   Born on July 17, 1935, he was the son of the late Henry Grady Tate, Sr., and Nettie Long Tate.

Vernon grew up in Kings Mountain, NC, the youngest of three brothers. After graduating from Kings Mountain High School in 1953, he earned a degree in biology from High Point College where he was a founding member of the college’s Delta Sigma Phi chapter.  His Delta Sig fraternity brothers were some of his closest life-long friends.

After college, Vernon returned to Kings Mountain to work for Fulbright Laboratories, a move which proved especially lucky as it offered him the opportunity to reacquaint with childhood friend, Faye Robbs. The two married in 1961.  A year later they moved to Tampa, Fla., where Vernon worked in pharmaceutical sales for J.B. Roerig.  In Tampa, their children, Ashlee and Brent, were born.  In 1966, Vernon began a career in the financial sector, working as a financial analyst for Merrill Lynch.  In 1977, the company transferred him to Charlotte, where he worked until his retirement in 2000.

A true Renaissance man, Vernon was known for his intellect and natural curiosity.  He was interested in a wide range of topics and never stopped seeking to learn.  He had a passion for reading—history, politics, fiction, poetry—and enjoyed discussing books with friends and family.  Vernon took several writing classes and became close with a group of fellow writers with whom he traded ideas and stories.  He wrote poetry and eventually published a collection of his work.  Vernon enjoyed playing guitar and was heavily involved in Tosco Music, a nonprofit dedicated to showcasing local acoustic musicians.

A college class sparked Vernon’s life-long interest in Spanish language and culture.  He became proficient in Spanish and was a founding member of the Cuban Mission Support Team at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, making three separate trips to Cuba to help deliver medical supplies. He also volunteered as a Spanish interpreter at Charlotte Community Health Clinic. 

Throughout their lives, Vernon and Faye developed a large network of friends with whom they enjoyed traveling.  Some of Vernon’s favorite trips were to Spain, South Africa, Italy, and Isle of Skye in Scotland.  As much as Vernon loved seeing the world, his greatest joy was being at home with his family, and he was a devoted father and grandfather.

Vernon is survived by his wife of 62 years, Faye Robbs Tate; daughter, Ashlee Tate Gant and her husband, Roger; son, Brent Tate; four grandchildren: Harris Coley, Tate Coley, Grady Tate, and Claire Tate; beloved sister-in-law, Jewel Robbs Warlick; and many loving nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, Vernon was predeceased by his brothers, Henry Grady Tate, Jr., and Alfred Tate.

A service to celebrate Vernon’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service in Oxford Hall.  The service will be livestreamed at: https://myersparkpres.org/live/ for those unable to attend in person.

Memorials may be offered in memory of Vernon to the Music Ministry at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.