Russell “Rusty” Owen Tate
1946 – 2022
Russell Owen Tate (Rusty) was born July 24, 1946 in Amarillo, Texas to Dottie Lee(Hamilton) Tate and George Russell Tate. Rusty left his worldly life February 16, 2022at 1429 hours. He is pre-deceased by his parents and brother Charles (Chuck) Tate. He is survived by his wife of 36 1/2 years Betty Lou (Henderson) Tate, his 3 children , George Russell Tate, Kelly Lee Tate, and Ashley Nichole Tate, and Step-Son John Damon Foster. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren…Rachel Eilerts, Anthony Tate and Emma Foster, 2 sisters Vicki(Tate) Miller and Susan Tate, and many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Rusty graduated from Putnam City High School in 1964, where he was an accomplished football player. He went to NEO in Miami, Okla. on a football scholarship where he played 1 year then transferred to Central State University (now UCO) to continue playing football & finish his education. .
In 1968 Rusty left Central State with 1 semester left to join the USMC. Of course, in typical “Rusty fashion” graduated Boot Camp as the “Honor graduate” and Expert Marksman, went to Sniper School and was deployed in November of 1968 to Viet Nam as a “Scout Sniper”. During his service in Viet Nam he was wounded 3 times, later receiving 3 Purple Hearts, Silver Star, Bronze Star with “V”, Navy Commendation with a “V”, Navy Achievement medal with a “V”, and many more commendations.
After returning home, Rusty completed his Bachelor’s degree at Central State, & finished his Master’s degree the following 2 summers while attending the Illinois Scholl college of Podiatry (in Chicago), to achieve his Doctor’s degree in Podiatric Medicine. Rusty also published 3 research papers, winning 2 “Stickle” awards.
While doing his Podiatry residency in Kansas City Rusty was approached by one of his patients (who later became a General) about why he didn’t stay in the military. Rusty said he wanted to be a Doctor but he might have considered staying if he could do something “Fun”, like jumping out of planes! In short order, Rusty was in the USAR in12th Special Forces Group, Tulsa, Ok. He completed Army Airborne School, then Special Forces training earning his “Flash” & tab. He later attended Scuba School. Throughout Rusty’s military career he completed Pathfinder School, Infantry Officer’s Basic and Advanced courses, Command & General Staff, War College, National Defense University, Anti-terrorist Instructor’s course, and many more. He also achieved Jump Master and Dive Master status.
During all of Rusty’s military and Podiatry career, he took a little time off to attend & complete Medical School at Ross University (in conjunction with OU) in Dominica, British West Indies and received a PHD in Human Factors Engineering at OU as well.
When Rusty & Betty married in 1985 (it was a blind date 2 years prior) one of her passions became his as well. He learned to wear “real Cowboy boots & jeans” and to ride horses. He jumped in full force. He loved showing horses….of course competition
was the name of the game & he fit right in. He won many competitions and awards. He also became active as a Reserve Mounted Patrol officer with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office and later the Logan County Sheriff’s Office. Rusty took great pride in keeping 3 of his & Betty’s horses Nationally certified Mounted Patrol Horses for several years
Rusty loved his kids dearly. He loved going to soccer games to see Kelly’s remarkable skills come to life. He beamed with pride with Ashley’s equestrian skills.. He was so proud of George’s mechanical and building skills and literally bragged on his knowledge over and over. He watched Damon play baseball and bragged on him as well. He was also extremely proud of his grand-children He was tough, but he loved them all dearly.
Rusty will always be remembered as a very colorful, competitive “out there” kind of guy. Those that knew him really well also knew he often wore his heart on his sleeve and could be a real “push-over” and was very generous. He was always “all in” when it came to his military career, professional career, and hobbies.
Rusty loved his family and friends. He was a true Patriot.
Services will be held Wednesday February 23, 2022, beginning at 2:00PM at the Matthews Funeral Home Chapel, Edmond, OK. Inurnment will be held at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, OK.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but feel they should not due to health regulations. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.