Roy Lee Thate, age 77, of San Angelo and long-time Coleman resident, died Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in San Angelo.

Private graveside funeral services were held Thursday at Coleman City Cemetery Pavilion with Rev. Chas Shira, pastor of First Baptist Church, officiating.

Services were entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, Coleman.

Roy Lee Thate was born October 5, 1942, in Coleman, the son of John Henry Thate and Martha Dobbs Thate.  He grew up in Coleman where he attended school.  Roy Lee faithfully served his country in the Army for 24 ½ years.  On April 1, 1977, he married Bettie Rae at the home of her parents Viron and Alice Rae, and they have celebrated almost 44 years of marriage.    In 1982, he and Bettie moved to San Angelo and have lived there since that time.  Roy Lee worked as a butcher at Montford Lamb Producing in San Angelo, as well as Stemple Manufacturing.  He also did cement work.  He was a Baptist.

He is survived by his wife, Bettie Thate of San Angelo; sisters, Martha Ann Nunes and Linda Sue Thate;  nieces, Sindy Frazier, Ruthie Thate and great-niece, Jamie Lane Wells.

Please leave kind thoughts and condolences for the family at www.livingmemorials.com.