Eric James Tate1989 - 2022

Our friendship started in grade school when we stood outside together in the mornings before school for assembly and I was always freezing. I don't know why I never wore my jacket. Eric was NEVER cold, at least that was his story when he insisted I wear his jacket. At first I would fight him because I never wanted him to be cold but he always won and bundled up in his jacket I'd be, comfortable and warm. Over the years, it became our custom and now looking back I now know why I never wore my jacket, it was always better to be in his. He was the first person I ever saw turn Pringles into a duck beak too lol. Fast forward a...

I spent all day today thinking of a good story to share, and it just hit me. Back in 2007, World of Warcraft had an expansion called "The Burning Crusade" and Eric was working at GameStop at the time. Eric loved doing things for others and being the guy that came through for his friends. He worked the midnight release until about 1am, loaded up his car with all of our copies of the game, and drove to each of our houses to hand deliver them. I remember quietly going outside and greeting him. He opened his trunk and had them all lined up. He was joking around and acted like he was selling me illegal goods. He gave me my game, and I went...

Working in retail was hell on earth, but I got to meet one of my best friends. Eric meant the world to me and he always encouraged me to be better person. I have so many fond memories of Eric from working at GameStop, Tech Star, and playing games together. One of my favorite memories was when Eric and I worked at GameStop. I was in the front checking out a customer. Eric comes to the front of the store and says "are we going to smash later?" As in playing Super Smash Bros, not anything dirty. The kid I was checking out smiled at me and said "I wasn't aware that it was THAT kind of workplace" I'm pretty sure my face turned instantly...

My home on Hazel Crest. Eric and the family was over to watch The Ghost. I am a screamer when something startles me. Eric jumped some many times. He said, Aunt Eileen I never watch a movie like this with you ever again. You made me jump out of skin some many times. Through years he wouldn't watch any kind of movie like that with me again. It had to be funny movies. When Eric was about 5 we lived next door to each other. We just painted our house. It was suppose be pale peach. We also painted the gates on the windows. Eric ran over to our house so excited. Aunt Eileen you really get into Halloween your house looks like a pumpkin....

Hey Boyo as I rush around, late as usual, (ugh!) I realize that there is something many don't know about you... I think most of your friends have experienced "Eric Time", otherwise known as "Tate Time" 🙃 And, many of them may know that you come by it honestly - as it started out as my "Parker Time" and you continued to "improve" it 😂 But, do they know that in addition to being early to Kevin's wedding - YAY!, you started doing things your way, in your own time, on your very first day of life??? That you were actually EARLY on March 12th, 1989??? How do I know? Well, I was there, of course, and I am the one who almost died laughing...

My wonderful nephew, I miss you very much! God brought you home way too soon but I'm sure you're playing cribbage with Grandma, Grandpa, Robert, Uncle Ronnie and of course the St Jude statue. One of our best memories was that gas powered Apache Helicopter. Took forever to start it and the 1st and only flight was epic! It hovered about 10 feet above us then the motor went hypersonic and it shot straight up 1/4 mile and flew over the lake. I remember saying that was the best $40 bucks I ever spent. We hopped in the truck and found the wreckage in somebody's back yard. Will love and miss you always. Save me a seat at the card table.

Once upon a time, there were two best friends named Mike and Eric. Eric was a fan of Pepsi and always carried a bottle with him, while Mike was a Coca-Cola enthusiast and never left his home without a can of Coke, if his parents allowed him. One day during 4th Grade English Class, they had to select a topic to debate on and debate said topic in front of the class. They decided to have a friendly debate to determine once and for all which soda was superior. Eric argued that Pepsi had a sweeter and smoother taste, while Mike countered that Coca-Cola had a classic flavor that couldn't be beaten. The debate went back and forth, with both friends presenting compelling arguments and...