Harvey Ray Pate

SENECA, MO — Harvey Ray Pate, 91, of Seneca, Mo., passed away on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010.

He was born on a broomcorn farm in Byars, Okla., on Nov. 15, 1918, to Edna Alva and Sim Walker Pate. He played basketball only during his senior year at Capital Hill High School in Oklahoma City, performing well enough to earn a scholarship to Oklahoma State University to play for Henry Iba, acquiring the nickname "Hoss" Pate and becoming known for exceptional running and jumping prowess on the court.

On Feb. 23, 1943, Harvey married Laura X. Brady, of Seneca, in New Orleans, La.

During the years of World War II, he was a physical training instructor in

the Army Air Corps. From 1946 to 1956, he was the head basketball coach at Cameron College in Lawton, Okla., then became head assistant at the University of Houston for 24 years, where he was responsible for recruiting the first black players at the school such as Elvin Hays of the Washington Bullets, Don Chaney of the Boston Celtics and several members of the Harlem Globetrotters.

For the past 30 years, Harvey resided in Seneca, where he enjoyed the companionship of many, many friends, and included among his favorite pastimes drinking coffee in the morning at various cafes, dancing on Saturday nights and fishing in area lakes and streams.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years in 1982; and is survived by his daughters, Suzan King and husband, Dennis, of New York City, and Laura Lea Burton and husband, Trey, of San Marcos, Texas; and sons, Tom Pate and wife, Sheri, of Austin, Texas, and Ty Pate, of Wharton, Texas. His grandchildren are Scooter Blacklock and wife, Andi, of San Francisco, Calif., Brooks Burton, of San Marcos, Texas, Brett Jarvis, of New York City, and Brady Jarvis and wife, Mollie, of Chicago, Ill, who are parents of great-grandson, Ian Thomas Jarvis.

Graveside services under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5, at the Seneca Cemetery with family members officiating. The casket will remain closed at all times.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jul 10 2021, 17:06:17 UTC