Raymond "Ray" Glenn Pate

Raymond “Ray” Glenn Pate (age 70), master of air, land, and sea, passed away on the morning of Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at his brother’s home in Sanford, NC. Raymond lived and worked on the Outer Banks of NC. His departure was preceded by a brief and brave battle with cancer during which he was surrounded by his loved ones. Raymond was an expert structural engineer, enthusiastic community member, and adoring father.

Born on August 26, 1954, to Dr. Marion Butler Pate, Jr. and “Faye” Thelma Ray Pate in Lumberton, NC, Raymond grew up alongside his older brother Marty (Marion III). Raymond’s fondest childhood memories are of fishing with his father along the NC coast. From ages 12 to 15, Raymond lived and studied at Fork Union Military Academy where he learned self-discipline and made many friends.

After returning to Lumberton, where he graduated from Lumberton Senior High in 1972, Raymond earned degrees from Louisburg College (Associate of Arts), the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (Bachelor of Arts in Geology), and North Carolina State University (Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering). A proud member of the Wolfpack, Raymond loved everything NC State athletics and attended countless basketball and football games in his lifetime.

Raymond held licenses as a Professional Land Surveyor and Professional Engineer. He started his career working for a variety of independent engineering firms and spent several years employed by the State of NC Government. For the bulk of his career, Raymond was an entrepreneur in Raleigh and on the Outer Banks, where he owned an engineering firm for over 30 years. At its peak, his business, Pate Engineering & Land Surveying, employed up to seven professionals and worked with dozens of loyal architects and homebuilders. Raymond carved out an enduring place for his company through his resounding expertise in engineering coastal residential structures and his ability to create lasting relationships with clients and employees.

Raymond said the happiest days of his life were when Gail Bailey Pate gave birth to their two children, Bailey (30) and Katie (28). He enjoyed exploring the Triangle on Saturday mornings with his young kids, who he took to visit museums, attend cultural festivals, ride bikes on the Raleigh Greenway, go all-out at the NC State Fair, and swim at the Meredith Townes pool for many hours.

As his children grew older, Raymond planned a variety of vacations and road trips that blended learning and leisure. The trio travelled to places like the Gettysburg Battlefield; the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.; Jackson Hole, WY; Monticello; Historic Williamsburg; Disneyworld; the Shenandoah Valley; and the Biltmore Estate, to name a few. In recent years, Bailey and Raymond travelled to San Franscisco and Yosemite National Park. Katie and Raymond took multiple joyful trips to Seattle, WA.

A lifelong learner, Raymond continuously pursued knowledge and skillsets of many kinds. His extensive list of hobbies included golf, swimming, hunting, fishing, cycling, basketball, taekwondo, hapkido, and much more. Raymond was a licensed pilot (ASEL and glider), certified dive master, and licensed CDL driver. Throughout his life, Raymond was a Free Mason, Board Member with the Pocosin Arts Annual Benefit Auction, President and Board Member of the Raleigh Bachelors Club, and Board Member of the Raleigh Jaycees, among others.

In 2015, Raymond joined his church, St. Andrews By-the-Sea, where he served as a Warden. St. Andrews provided Raymond a community of fellow Outer Banks locals and many dear friends, who had the privilege of experiencing his generous and humorous spirit.

Raymond will be remembered for his larger-than-life presence, boisterous personality, independent attitude, and penchant for justice. He loved CBS 60 Minutes (especially Andy Rooney), the first bite of a medium-rare New York strip, carrying on business from behind his enormous oak desk, reading and re-reading the works of Ferrol Sams, and nearly anything containing blueberries.

When asked if he has any wisdom to impart on those reading about his life, Raymond replied that “there is no substitute for the truth.”

Raymond is survived by his daughter, Katherine “Katie” Meredith Pate [Connor Regan] of Raleigh; his son, Bailey Townsend Pate [Michelle Isreal] of Raleigh; his brother Dr. Marion “Marty” Butler Pate III and sister-in-law Linda Phelps Pate of Sanford; his children’s mother, Gail Bailey Pate of Raleigh; his aunt Dean R. Pate [William “Cary”] of Fayetteville; his niece Dr. Tess Pate Jordan [Tyler, Clara, and Emmy] of Summerfield; his nephew Lt. Con. Matthew Townsend Pate [Dr. Ann Roy] of Miami, FL; and his many extended family members and large network of friends from around NC.

Ramond is predeceased by his parents Dr. Marion Butler Pate, Jr. (1981) and “Faye” Thelma Ray Pate (1985); his uncle Dr. James “Lloyd” Pate (1993) [Bernice (1996)]; and his uncle William “Cary” Pate (2017) [Dean].

A celebration of Raymond’s life will be held at St. Andrews By-the-Sea in Nags Head on Saturday, October 26 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a monetary donation in Raymond’s name to the Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft in Columbia, NC.

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