Joe Phillip Tate, age 69, passed away at his home in Austin, Texas, on Monday, December 7, 2015.

Phil was born on August 8, 1946 in Gorman, Texas, to James "Bill" Garland and Mary Carter Tate.

Phil was a 1964 graduate of De Leon High School. He went on to obtain his bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Texas in 1968. He also proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

Phil spent most of his career in the banking business. He began working at F&M Bank in De Leon in 1962 and continued his banking career for more than forty-five years in Austin and surrounding area, including many years at American Bank and Coupland State Bank. Before retiring in 2011, Phil served as the City Manager for the City of Manor, Texas.

Phil was known as the "De Leon Historian". He spent many years compiling the events and the people who made up the history of De Leon. His ongoing work on the history of De Leon and De Leon football can be found at www.deleonhistory.com.

Phil was also a true Texas Longhorn fan, bleeding burnt orange, his entire life. He religiously cheered on the Longhorns, attending their football, baseball, basketball and other sporting events for more than fifty years.

Phil is survived by brothers, Tad Tate of Austin, and Paul Tate of San Marcos, Texas. He is also survived by nephews, Michael Tate of Plano, and Stephen Tate of Carrollton, Texas. Phil was preceded by his parents, Bill and Mary Carter Tate.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, December 9, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. at Nowlin Anders Funeral Home in De Leon, Texas, with Brother Kenneth Wilson officiating. Interment followed in De Leon Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Jerry Morgan, Deral Brown, Gerald Locke, John Neel, Charlie Nevajas, and Dustin Haisler. Honorary pallbearers were Hiram Smith and Bodie Weaver.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Phil.