Gilbert Pate, Jr., 96, of Shelbyville, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 13, 2026. He was born on February 3, 1930 in Shelbyville, Indiana, the oldest child of Gilbert and Odessa Pate.
Gilbert worked as a manager at General Motors for over 30 years before he retired. He was also a barber at Joe’s Barber Shop in Greensburg and proudly kept his barber’s license updated throughout the years.
Gilbert was a simple man who kept to himself and enjoyed the times he was able to gather with family for birthdays and reunions. He enjoyed exercising and riding his bicycle around his neighborhood, watching the news, going to lunch with his daughter and son-in-law, reading the newspaper, and gardening. He especially enjoyed a friendly- or sometimes not-so-friendly- game of golf with his brother, Pete.
He is survived by his daughter, Debra (Joe) Roark; granddaughters, Kelly (Jim) Wampler and Leslie (Nick) Thackery; great-grandchildren, Ali Jameson, Cohen Thackery, Carmen Thackery, Corbin Thackery, and Brenley Jameson; brother, Charles “Pete” Pate; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Ricky Pate; sisters, Eula Bruner and June Martin; and brothers, Robert “Bob” Pate and Jimmy Pate.
A visitation for family and friends will be held at Gilliland-Howe Funeral Home on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 3:00 p.m. Rev. Joe Smith and Rev. Mike Miller will be officiating. Burial will be private at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shelbyville Bible Holiness Church, 2911 E. Michigan Road, Shelbyville, IN 46176 or Shelby Masonic Lodge #28, 519 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com.