Celebrating the life of
Clinton W. Tate
May 06, 1931 - July 18, 2019
Successful Attorney and CPA
Clinton W. Tate born May 6, 1931, in Gate City, Virginia passed away peacefully in Savannah, Georgia at St. Joseph's/Candler Hospital after a short illness on July 18, 2019. He was the son of George and Edna (Davidson) Tate of Clinch Valley, Virginia.
A successful attorney at law for many years, Clint was a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the State Bar of Tennessee. He also was a Certified Public Accountant and worked in private practice for the last 30 years of his life practicing his specialty in tax law which he was extremely passionate about. Representing clients from all walks of life ranging from professional athletes and celebrities to Fortune 500 companies, he truly loved representing individuals who found themselves on the wrong side of the tactics of the Internal Revenue Service from which he retired 36 years ago. After his successful career with the IRS as the Director of Appeals, he commenced his role working for Gulf+Western in New York City developing the tax law research platform that is now known as Lexis/Nexis.
After graduating from high school, he immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served at stations from Haiti to Okinawa, Japan. A Korean War veteran, he completed his time serving as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island, South Carolina.
He was the first person in his family to graduate from high school and went on to successfully complete his undergraduate degree in accounting and his Juris Doctorate at Memphis State University.
He loved his family and friends, carpentry, sailing, was an avid marksman and collector, as well as, telling old stories and jokes which he always called "a funny," and most important his loving wife of 63 years, Joyce Sue Tate, who passed away on August 21, 2018.
He is survived by his only son, Mark Andrew Tate of Savannah, Georgia and two grandchildren, Davis and Amelia.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel for family and friends. The family will also receive friends prior to the service starting at 11:00 a.m. A graveside interment for family and friends will be held at Greenwich Cemetery following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances and memorials may be sent to the Cancer Research Institute at Cancer Research.org.
The family would like to extend its expression of gratitude to the medical doctors and nursing staff in North Tower 4th. floor of St. Joseph’s/ Candler Hospital for their dedicated work, compassionate care and support.
When I was an IRS trial attorney in the 1970's and 1980's I worked with Clint on settling various tax cases in the Appeals Division. He was a true Virginia gentleman and had a wonderful sense of humor.
- ERIC JORGENSEN, Roswell, GA
I would like to extend my condolences to Clinton’s loved ones. I pray that you all find peace and comfort by always remembering that soon the things that cause us heartache now will be removed by our loving Heavenly Father. “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”- Revelation 21:4
- Ana , Milwaukee ,
So very sorry to hear this. Have worked with Clint for more than 20 years and enjoyed every job we did together - will miss visiting and talking with him. True gentleman and will miss him. Condolences to his family.
- Philip Hawkins, Atlanta, GA
Mark, May Jehovah - the God of all comfort, comfort your family at this time of great loss. I was a client of Clint, but also considered him a true friend. May your family find additional comfort in the God -promised hope of a resurrection.
- Victor Onyemelukwe , Stone Mountain , GA
I worked for Mr. Tate in the mid to late 90s. He was a wonderful mentor and person. I learned a lot working under him. He will be greatly missed.
- Sandra Dickson, Loganville, GA
I had the pleasure of working with Clint just after retiring from The IRS when he went into private practice. He was fun to work with listening to his stories and his “funnies”. He will be missed.
- Melanie Keeling, Lawrenceville, GA
Condolences to the family on your tremendous loss. It has been my special honor to have Clint as a friend. We worked together in several situations and he was always wise, candid, kind and the most respected voice in the room. Always interested in others, it is hard to express how much his encouragement meant to me over the years. I will miss him. Rest in peace my friend.
- Frank Moore, Savannah, Georgia
Clint was a wonderful man and a true gentleman. I was a client of his for over 20 years and looked forward to each tax year and the chance to meet with him and have great conversations. He always spoke lovingly of his family and never failed to inquire about mine. I will miss him and never forget such a unique and interesting friend.
- Jo Stabrawa, Tucker, GA
Clint was so willing to help to me as I began representing clients in tax controversy matters back in the 1990s. He was very generous with his time, also a very capable man with a great sense of humor. I have thought about him often. Jim Little
- JIM D LITTLE, Loganville, GA
Clint participated and contributed to the continuing professional education at our offices in Tucker for several years. We helped each other in our CPA practices. He was a delight and joy.
- Joe Kilpatrick, Tucker, GA
I am tremendously saddened by Mr. Tate's passing. Although I was a client, I considered him a great friend. When I learned of his recent illness, I called him and I believe the conversation was probably more difficult for me than for him as he was ever the optimist. I told him I hoped he would climb the mountain again, and I believe he did. He often spoke of his family, always with such pride. My sincere condolences to you. He will be missed.
- Mary Mignon Wessinger, Bowdon, GA
Oh Clint! you will be missed by all ESPECIALY US! You are such a great friend and a lot of fun to be with. You did all you could tomake this world a better place. May the lord welcome you and give you peace.
- Jean-Francis Mots, Marietta, GA
When I was an IRS trial attorney in the 1970's and 1980's I worked with Clint on settling various tax cases in the Appeals Division. He was a true Virginia gentleman and had a wonderful sense of humor.
- ERIC JORGENSEN, Roswell, GA
I would like to extend my condolences to Clinton’s loved ones. I pray that you all find peace and comfort by always remembering that soon the things that cause us heartache now will be removed by our loving Heavenly Father. “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”- Revelation 21:4
- Ana , Milwaukee ,
So very sorry to hear this. Have worked with Clint for more than 20 years and enjoyed every job we did together - will miss visiting and talking with him. True gentleman and will miss him. Condolences to his family.
- Philip Hawkins, Atlanta, GA
Mark, May Jehovah - the God of all comfort, comfort your family at this time of great loss. I was a client of Clint, but also considered him a true friend. May your family find additional comfort in the God -promised hope of a resurrection.
- Victor Onyemelukwe , Stone Mountain , GA
I worked for Mr. Tate in the mid to late 90s. He was a wonderful mentor and person. I learned a lot working under him. He will be greatly missed.
- Sandra Dickson, Loganville, GA
I had the pleasure of working with Clint just after retiring from The IRS when he went into private practice. He was fun to work with listening to his stories and his “funnies”. He will be missed.
- Melanie Keeling, Lawrenceville, GA
Condolences to the family on your tremendous loss. It has been my special honor to have Clint as a friend. We worked together in several situations and he was always wise, candid, kind and the most respected voice in the room. Always interested in others, it is hard to express how much his encouragement meant to me over the years. I will miss him. Rest in peace my friend.
- Frank Moore, Savannah, Georgia
Clint was a wonderful man and a true gentleman. I was a client of his for over 20 years and looked forward to each tax year and the chance to meet with him and have great conversations. He always spoke lovingly of his family and never failed to inquire about mine. I will miss him and never forget such a unique and interesting friend.
- Jo Stabrawa, Tucker, GA
Clint was so willing to help to me as I began representing clients in tax controversy matters back in the 1990s. He was very generous with his time, also a very capable man with a great sense of humor. I have thought about him often. Jim Little
- JIM D LITTLE, Loganville, GA
Clint participated and contributed to the continuing professional education at our offices in Tucker for several years. We helped each other in our CPA practices. He was a delight and joy.
- Joe Kilpatrick, Tucker, GA
I am tremendously saddened by Mr. Tate's passing. Although I was a client, I considered him a great friend. When I learned of his recent illness, I called him and I believe the conversation was probably more difficult for me than for him as he was ever the optimist. I told him I hoped he would climb the mountain again, and I believe he did. He often spoke of his family, always with such pride. My sincere condolences to you. He will be missed.
- Mary Mignon Wessinger, Bowdon, GA
Oh Clint! you will be missed by all ESPECIALY US! You are such a great friend and a lot of fun to be with. You did all you could tomake this world a better place. May the lord welcome you and give you peace.
- Jean-Francis Mots, Marietta, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
