Calvin Lewis Tate known to some as “Cal” of Charlottesville, VA was called home to his Heavenly Father while at the University of Virginia hospital on Thursday October 21, 2021.
He was born on January 31, 1959, in Philadelphia, PA. He was the oldest of four children born to the late Oscar Lewis Tate and Iona Louise Tate Morton of Philadelphia, PA.
Calvin was married for 28 years to the love of his life Carmen Lyles Tate. Together they shared a son, Lewis Arnold Tate, of Charlottesville and a daughter, Troye Tate-Vigo (Christopher), of Bethlehem, PA.
He graduated from BOK High School in Philadelphia, PA, received his bachelor’s degree from Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, and master’s degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He served as a sports announcer in Allentown, PA. He served six years in the Army.
Calvin’s love for life was shown at an early age. He grew up in Philadelphia, PA and often visited Virginia on summer vacations with his family. Calvin played the drums at the early age of 12 and played the drums for the Union Baptist Church in Gordonsville, VA. As a musician he produced a Gospel CD, played in a Gospel band and other musical groups in Philadelphia, PA. Eventually, Calvin went back to live in Virginia where he would remain. During that time, he worked for the City of Charlottesville as the Charlottesville Public Access Television Station Manager for many years before early retirement in 2020. Additionally, he worked on the Sunday morning broadcast for Ebenezer Baptist Church in Charlottesville, VA, where he was a dedicated member.
Calvin is survived by two Brothers; Cornell Tate (Tammy) and Michael Kyle Tate both of Coatesville, PA; one sister Tonya Marie Tate of Philadelphia, PA; mother-in-law Gloria V. Lyles of Charlottesville, VA; one sister-in-law Shinitia Lyles-Johnson (Kenny) of Frederick, MD; three aunts Monica Roselle, Louise Tate and Cordoza Trice of Philadelphia, PA; one uncle Kenneth Tate of Philadelphia, PA; three grandchildren, Mackenzie, Nigel and Sebastian Vigo of Bethlehem, PA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff at the University of Virginia Hospital STICU, MICU, the Outpatient Dialysis Clinic and UPG for the care they gave Calvin during his illness.
A funeral service will be held on Friday November 12, 2021, at noon at Preddy Funeral Home, 301 South Main St, Gordonsville, VA 22942, with Bishop Joseph Ragland of House of God Church, Cobham VA as the Officiant, and Rev. Dr. Lehman Bates II of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Charlottesville VA as the Eulogist.
Share On: