Longtime Regent Georgia Tate Dies Unexpectedly
(Press Release 7-18-04)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Georgia Tate, 18-year member of the Eastern Oklahoma State College Board of Regents, died unexpectedly Friday (July16, 2004) in Heavener, OK, following a heart attack.

“Eastern mourns the loss of this dedicated woman, whose heart was always in the college, and we extend our best to Martin, her husband, and the family” Eastern President Dr. Richard Bernard said.

Funeral services have been set for 2 p.m. Tuesday (July 20, 2004) at the First United Methodist Church in Heavener.

Georgia became a member of Eastern's regents in 1986 following an appointment by Gov. George Nigh. She became chairperson of the Wilburton college regents July 1989. She was reappointed by Gov. David Walters to a second seven-year term April 10, 1991 to continue until June 1, 1998 and was reappointed by Gov. Frank Keating in 1998 to serve until 2005.

Georgia and her husband Martin retired from Tate’s Department Store in Heavener in 1987. The store had been in operation since 1948.

She and Martin were married for 57 years. They have four children and nine grandchildren scattered across the nation and world. She said recently, she had one in Spain, Australia, Italy and Germany.

She had been a member of the: Heavener Woman's Club, First Christian Church, chairman of the Heavener Library Board, past-president of the Heavener Woman's Club, past-secretary of the 7th District GFWC, past-member of the Regional Board of Christian Church, Regional Board of Christian Women's Fellowship, served on the Christian Church Foundation Board and served with the Heavener Chamber of Commerce.