Eugene "Gene" Leverne Pate, age 90, of Lumberton, NC passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Wesley Pines Retirement Community on Monday, February 23, 2026. Gene was the youngest of eight children, born on June 27, 1935 in Robeson County to the late Robert Pate and Dora Davis Pate. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers; Rudolph Pate, Elwood Pate, John "Bose" Pate, sisters; Frankie Dunie, Dorothy Driscoll, Emma Dale Stone, Mildred Pate.

Gene was known as the "Man in the Red Truck." He was a lifetime member of the NC State Wolfpack Club. He enjoyed men's and women's basketball and football. Gene hosted a church softball league for over 44 years in Robeson and Bladen Counties. Fishing in the Cape Fear River, Black River, and Ocean Isle Beach brought him hours of pleasure. He was a sheet metal fabricator for his entire working career. He started at TR Driscoll Sheet Metal and worked for 24 years. Then he and his brother Elwood opened Pate Sheet Metal, INC. After several years Gene assumed ownership of Pate Sheet Metal and retired after 38 years. Gene was a deacon and member of the Board of Trustees at Zion's Tabernacle Baptist Church and a Deacon at First Baptist Church of Lumberton. He loved the Men's Fellowship Class at First Baptist. Gene will be remembered most for the love he gave to his wife, son, granddaughters, and great-grandchildren as well as his extended family and friends.

Gene is survived by his wife of 63 years; Phyllis Kinlaw Pate, son; Robin Pate and wife Christy, granddaughters; Madison DeShane and husband Edward and their daughter; Leah, Ashlynn Hale and husband Garrett and their children; Christina and David, a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Wesley Pines Fellowship Building, 1000 Wesley Pines Rd, Lumberton, NC 28358. The family will receive friends following the service. A private family burial will be held at Meadowbrook Cemetery in Lumberton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gene's memory to Wesley Pines Employee Christmas Fund, 1000 Wesley Pines Rd, Lumberton, NC 28358, Liberty Hospice, 705-A Wesley Pines Rd, Lumberton, NC 28358, or First Baptist Church Lumberton, 606 N. Walnut St, Lumberton, NC 28358

The family would like to thank the staff at Wesley Pines Retirement Community, the staff of Liberty Homecare and Hospice and Lillian Lewis who spent many hours providing care for Gene.