of Searcy, AR
September 20, 1935 - January 24, 2021
Van Tate, age 85, of Searcy has gone on to his reward. He passed away on Sunday morning at The Crossing. He is survived by his wife Jean Tate and four daughters and sons-in-law: Susan Harrington (Larry); Lori Shelton (Jim); Ann Neal (Eddie); and Jill Wood (Michael), all of Searcy. He is also survived by two sisters and their husbands: Janice McCoy (Glenn) of Yorba Linda, California, and Jo Lynn Wilson (Wayne) of Searcy. In addition, he is survived by nine grandchildren: Sarah Rowan of Little Rock; Benjamin Smith of Searcy; Hannah Giles of Paragould; Tyler Neal of Columbus, Mississippi; Niky Neal, Ashley Perry, McKenzie Reed, Hunter Harrington, and Ethan Wood, all of Searcy. He is also survived by eleven great grandchildren.
He was born on September 20, 1935 to Harry and Geraldine Tate in Wesley, Arkansas. During World War II, he moved with his parents to California where they helped with the war effort. Upon returning to Arkansas and graduating high school, he attended Florida College in Temple Terrace, Florida. It was there that he met the love of his life, Jean Fortenberry, whom he married and loved for the remaining sixty-four years of his life. From there, he attended Abilene Christian College and later earned a Masters of Arts from Fuller Theological Seminary and a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Nairobi. In 1965, Van and his wife moved to Kenya with children Susan, Lori, and Ann where they served as missionaries through 1975. During their time in Kenya, their daughter Jill was born. In 1976, he began a career at Harding University where he remained until his retirement. He taught sociology, anthropology, missions, and Bible, and influenced another generation of missionaries who went, not only to Kenya, but to other nations around the world. He and his family were also founding members of the Cloverdale Church of Christ where he served as an elder until his health no longer allowed.
Due to COVID restrictions, a private family service will be held on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. followed by a family graveside service at Gum Springs Cemetery. COVID guidelines will be followed and face coverings must be worn at all times. Livestreaming will be available.
The family would like to extend special thanks to all of the nurses and caregivers at both Southridge Village Nursing and Rehabilitation in Heber Springs and The Crossing at Riverside in Searcy. The care and compassion they provided Van during his final years are very much treasured by his family. Memorials may be made to the Van and Jean Tate Endowed Scholarship Fund at Harding University; the Alzheimer's Association, Arkansas Chapter, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011; or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Roller Daniel Funeral Home, Searcy.
Online guestbook: rollerfuneralhomes.com/searcy
Sign Guestbook
29 Condolence(s)
Mary Nyambura
Monday, February 27, 2023
Iam Mary a Kenyan.The passing on of my mentor in Sunday school has been received today with much grieve..l remember this family in their stay Kangemi Nairobi.l always took my lunch and supper here they were very generous people..l lost my touch when they went back to the USA .Van Tate visited Kenya and my home in the 70s.l was in college then so we never met.My condolence to Jean and family.Mary Nairobi Kenya.
Nancy Rollins
Thursday, October 7, 2021
I am so sorry to hear that Van passed. I actually, after 21 years just wrote his email looking for more family history information and then decided to google him. He helped me quite a bit in 2000 when we were both just digging into genealogy, even able to proved me with a photo of my great grandpa, Al Tate and his, Martin Vincent Tate. After reading his obit, it sounds like he spent his life helping people always. My condolences to the family and my thanks to him for his help.
Wycliffe Nandama
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Van Tate was a pioneer missionary of the Lord's church in Kenya, East Africa. He taught and baptized my late father (Ezekiel Nandama) in 1967 hence contributing immensely to my being a Christian today as is the case for many other people including my siblings and relatives. I shall be forever grateful for his decision and sacrifice in undertaking mission work in Africa before I was born in 1971. Praying for Jean and the entire family for God's comfort.
Nairobi Church of Christ - Eastleigh (NCCE), where I am a member, observed a moment of silence in his honor today.
Eric & Susan Guild
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Thank you Van for your service in Christ and encouragement and impact to me and so many others. Comfort, peace and joy to your family.
Derek Pfeifer
Thursday, January 28, 2021
We love you all. Van was a great mentor and friend. There is no way to know just how many entered the kingdom because of his witness.
Rich Roth
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
What a great man of God! I've long had a great deal of respect and admiration for Mr. Tate. My heartfelt condolences to the family.
Gene & Freda Martin
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
We never knew Van Tate well but have many connections with the family. We extend our love and sympathy to all.
Floyd and Patty
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
May the Lord bless you. Loved you all
Randy and Jill Rose
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
We are so sorry for your loss. Praying God’s grace on your family as you go through this most difficult time. ðŸ™ðŸ»
Feroze Baksh
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Dr. Van Tate was a trusted friend, instructor, mentor and brother to many here in Guyana. His teachings and example has directed many to the straight and narrow way. Congratulations for a life well lived! Enjoy your reward. Looking forward to meeting you one day on the other side. To God be the Glory!
Diana Taylor Speer
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
May God comfort all of you. My prayers are with you.
RUSSELL WARD
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
I'M A STEP COUSIN TO VAN AND GOT TO MEET HIM IN MY MID TEEN YEARS . I MISSED GETTING TO SEE HIM AND JEAN AT MY MOTHERS FUNERAL IN 2008. I HOPE TO SEE HIM AGAIN IN HEAVEN.
Bill McDonough
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Van was always encouraging and helpful to every missionary he met. I'm thankful for his life and work and influence in this lost world. My condolences to the Family and friends.
Carladean Thompson
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
I Thessalonians 4:13-18. God wrap his arms of love and comfort around you, as He wraps his arms of welcome around Van.
Larry Henderson
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Our extended family marks the passing of another missions pioneer. My sisters and I have sat at Van’s feet at HU, followed his steps to East Africa and/or been blessed by his wisdom from further away.
Blessings and comfort, Tate family.
George Onchangwa Matangi
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
My name is George Onchangwa, the Principal of Nairobi Great Commission School, in Nairobi. This is a preacher training School for the Churches of Christ in Kenya.
It is with deep sadness I received the news about Brother Van Tate's promotion to another glory. I pain because I will miss him in this life. He pioneered missionary work in Kenya. Through his commitment, and the help of the Lord, Kenya Church of Christ was established in East Africa. We have a huge heritage about his work here.
To the family, we can conceptualize this loss in the ancient Job's way ( The Lord gave and the Lord takes, and may His name be glorified (Job 1:21). Know that your relatives in Christ from Kenya, are praying with you in this time of grief.
Lamonica brady
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
My condolences sent to sister Jean and all the daughters and the family and loved ones of brother Tate. He was such a sweet and loving man. Prayers for all of you. I miss his sweet face.
Dharmendra Ramgobin
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Brother van tate as we knew him here in Guyana 🇬🇾., he taught us in Bible school. Guyana international Bible Institute.
He will surely be missed by many here in Guyana 🇬🇾..
Charles Ngoje
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Van planted the seed of the Gospel in Kenya in 1965...that work has grown so much. We thank him and the family for their faithfulness. May God comfort his family and friends left behind!
Ashley Veatch
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
May God bless you with strength and courage to face these difficult days ahead. May you find comfort and peace in Him.
We love your family dearly, and we grieve with you. Van was a spectacular example for us.
Robert Allen
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Prayers of comfort and blessingsâ¤ï¸ðŸ™ðŸ»
Vivian Koettel
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Garry and I always received encouragement and support from Van and Jean during our years at Cloverdale. May you feel God’s presence now and know comfort in his promise of Van’s reward. Vivian Koettel
James and Mandy Scudder
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Rest in peace.
Sandra Fry
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
So sorry to hear of Van's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kathy and Manly Gilpin
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Our love and prayers go out to the family.
Van left a great legacy four so many. He will be missed until we meet again in that beautiful city above.
Bill Brewer
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
While I was a student at Harding, brother Tate taught me mission and life lessons that served as the foundation for the mission work my family and I did in the Philippines for six years. My sincere condolences to all his family during this time. God bless each of you!ðŸ™â¤ï¸
Shirley Curd
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
So sorry for your loss but know you will see him again one day. Prayers for peace and comfort for the family.
Alice Jewell
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
May the Lord bless and comfort you in your time of loss.
Jimmy & Billie Gibbins
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Sending our love and heartfelt condolences.