Col. Lester K. Tate, 90, entered into rest peacefully at home in Aiken, South Carolina, on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016.

He was born Oct. 11, 1926, in Austin, Minnesota, to the late Lyle and Lyla Tate. He was a graduate of the Austin High School class of 1945. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946. He furthered his education by graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1950 with a degree in electronic engineering.

Col. Tate was commissioned as an ROTC second lieutenant in 1950. He actively served in the Korean War from 1953 until 1954 in the Command 2nd Individual Signal Company. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1958 with a master’s degree in electronic engineering.

Col. Tate served on the staff of Ft. Bragg’s Research and Development in 1960. Additionally, he graduated from the Naval War College in 1964. He served in Vietnam from 1966 until 1967. He commanded the 36th and 41st Signal Battalion and held various positions in command and staff.

Col. Tate retired from Army General Staff in Washington, D.C., in 1975 as a colonel having served the U.S. Army for 25 years. He received the Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star, and the Army Commendation Medal. He attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces after retirement, and from 1975 until 1980 he was employed with Rockwell International Mideast Marketing. From 1980 until 1986 he worked for Harris Corporation in West Africa Markets.

In addition to his parents, Col. Tate was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Kathleen Tate. He is survived by several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Alice Blackburn.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, at George Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the George Funeral Chapel. Chaplain Dexter Lambert will officiate. A reception will follow at the family home following the service. Interment with full military honors will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, South Carolina.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Support 1, an organization that helps support first responders in their time of need in the local area: Support 1, P.O. Box 7041, North Augusta, SC 29861 www.support1.org (803.645.4218). The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.3624), has charge of arrangements.