Walter E. Tate - Obituary

alter Edward Tate December 21, 1948 – April 10, 2025 Walter Edward Tate, affectionately known as “Walter” to his family and childhood friends and “Ed” to many others, passed away peacefully at the age of 76 at Hospice of the Chesapeake in Pasadena, Maryland. Born on December 21, 1948, to Fred and Cora Tate, Walter grew up in Landover Hills, MD, where he met the love of his life, Jean “Jeannie” Tate. The two recently celebrated 56 years of marriage, a partnership rooted in love, laughter, and adventure. Together, they raised six children—Lisa, Tina, Lori, Keri, Joe, and TJ—in the Southdown Shores community of Edgewater, MD. Walter built a life around his passions—family, faith, craftsmanship, and community. A skilled and respected HVAC technician, he served residential and commercial clients throughout Maryland, DC, and Virginia. He passed this passion down to his son, who now works in the HVAC industry. Walter’s ingenuity was legendary—he often joked he could fix anything with chewing gum and a shoestring. A lifelong tinkerer, Walter could always be found working on a project: a boat he fondly dubbed “The African Queen,” a vintage Mercury Cougar, or something new out in his workshop. He also had a deep love for the outdoors, teaching his children to fish, camp, crab, and explore. Many weekends were spent packed into the family camper, off to the mountains or the shore. He was also a proud Marylander who cherished summer crab feasts, especially those featuring his beloved “swamp dogs”—the meatiest crabs of the season. Walter served six years in the Army National Guard as both a chef and photographer. He also had a deep appreciation for music—he played harmonica, had a beautiful singing voice, and filled his home with melodies. During football season, he enjoyed lively banter with his father-in-law over their favorite (rival) teams. He never met a stranger and had a gift for remembering the little things that made people feel seen. Walter was active in his church, Woodlawn Christian Fellowship, where he served as an elder and helped to organize many beloved events—from waterslides and pancake breakfasts to family trips to Knoebels. He loved a good laugh and could turn anything into a game, a joke, or a shared smile. His generous spirit, warm humor, and helping hands touched many lives and for this, he will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Walter is survived by his wife Jean, his six children, and ten grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Cheryl Morton and his twin brother Richard “Dickie” Tate. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Cora, his older brother, Frederick “Freddie” Tate, and his nephew, Richard “Ricky” Carson. A memorial luncheon will be held on May 1, 2025, from 12:00–3:00 PM at the Cedarhurst Community House, 5187 Chesapeake Ave, Edgewater (Shady Side), MD 20764. Light lunch will be provided. All are welcome to join the family in remembering a life so beautifully lived. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity in Walter’s memory.