Jerry Lynn Tate, 54, of Athens, died Friday, June 4, 2010, at his residence.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Howard Monroe and Idella Underwood Tate. He was a former McMinn County dispatcher, a detective for the McMinn County Sheriff's Department, an E.M.T. and a fireman with the Athens Fire Department. He was a member of Victory Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy and Phantitra Tate of Sterling, Va.; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Johnny and Millicent Tate and Jackie Tate, all of Athens; one sister and brother-in-law, Glenda and Danny Stephens of Athens; one grandson, Aden Tate; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Chad Hester officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be the Athens Fire Department.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jerry Tate Memorial Fund, c/o Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, P.O. Box 428, Athens, TN 37371-0428.