Donald Earl Pate, 83, of Arkansas City, KS passed away December 25, 2025 at Winfield Senior Living with his family by his side.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Arkansas City. Memorials in his name may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association and left in the care of the funeral home.

Don was born on October 29, 1942 in Arkansas City, KS to parents Rector “Rex” and Sarrah Emiline (Taylor) Pate. He attended Ark City schools until starting his career as a mechanic alongside his father and brother Bob at Pates Auto Service in Ark City. On February 14, 1976, he was united in marriage to the love of his life Martha Hoss. Don enjoyed fishing, Western movies, tinkering with, building and racing cars for figure 8 races and at the Mid America Dragway, and was a member of the Marauders Car club. He was “Mr. MacGyver” to many people, and he will be greatly missed.

Don is survived by his wife, children Russell Pate, Crystal Metzinger (Billy), Susanna Estrada, Michelle Regh, and Greg Regh (Julie), brother David Pate (Pasty) and 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bob and Steve, and his grandson Andrew Estrada.