Remembering Senator Louis M. Pate Jr.: A Statesman, Gentleman, and Servant of North Carolina
North Carolina lost one of its most respected public servants last week with the passing of Senator Louis M. Pate Jr., a decorated veteran, longtime legislator, and former mayor of Mount Olive. He was 88. Pate represented Lenoir County (2013–2019, NC Senate District 7).
Pate’s life reflected both deep humility and steadfast commitment to service. From his years as a U.S. Air Force officer flying B-52 missions in Vietnam, to his decades shaping policy in Raleigh, his legacy is defined by civility, character, and a dedication to the people he served.
From Local Roots to Statewide Leadership
Born in Duplin County in 1936, Louis Milford Pate Jr. dedicated much of his career to his adopted hometown of Mount Olive. He first entered public service as mayor before moving on to the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he served multiple terms beginning in the mid-1990s. In 2010, he was elected to the North Carolina Senate, where he became Deputy President Pro Tempore and a leading voice on healthcare, appropriations, and community oversight.
Despite the prestige of his titles, Pate remained grounded in everyday life. Friends recall a man who treated everyone—from colleagues in government to neighbors and shopkeepers—with the same respect and kindness.
Tributes from Colleagues
Those who served alongside Pate say his legacy is as much about how he led as what he accomplished.
Rep. Chris Humphrey, who represents Lenoir County, first knew Pate not in politics but as a landlord.
“I first met Senator Louis Pate back around 1996, when I opened a small business in Mount Olive, North Carolina, and he was my landlord. Over the years, I was honored to work with him in different capacities—as a member of the La Grange Town Council, as a Lenoir County Commissioner, and more recently when we briefly served together in the North Carolina Legislature after my election to the NC House in 2018. Senator Pate was a statesman, a gentleman, and a genuinely good man. His service and character leave a lasting mark on our state and our communities.”
Senator Jim Perry, who succeeded Pate in the Senate, remembered him as a steadying figure in turbulent times.
“Senator Louis Pate was an incredibly thoughtful, kind human being. Unlike members of the NC or US House of Representatives, NC and US Senators keep their titles for life and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of that honor than Senator Pate. He was a statesman who believed you could disagree, without being disagreeable and he was loved by people of all walks of life and political persuasions.”
Perry recalled Pate’s down-to-earth warmth:
“I will never forget watching his campaign commercial that ended with him buying ice cream for his grandchildren. It was probably one of the most wholesome, 'feel good' ads in history and it truly reflected his personality. He treated everyone with kindness and respect. Senator Pate was a calm harbor during chaotic political storms and our state is better off because of his service. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Joyce, and his entire family. Additionally, I offer a special prayer for his son, and my friend, Chip Pate.”
House Majority Leader Rep. John Bell also honored Pate’s mentorship and devotion to eastern North Carolina:
“It was an honor to call Senator Pate both a friend and mentor. He was a true public servant who dedicated his life to not only eastern North Carolina, but also our country. I'm forever grateful for his service, mentorship and friendship.”
Senator Bob Brinson honored Pate’s service to his country.
“Senator Pate gave a lifetime of service as a career Air Force officer, including a tour in Vietnam, and in multiple elected offices at the city and state levels. His commonsense approach to policy solutions and his legacy of service to our communities is something we all should emulate. He will definitely be missed.”
A Legacy of Service
Over the course of nearly three decades in Raleigh, Pate worked across the aisle and across communities. He played key roles on healthcare committees, helped oversee Medicaid and public health initiatives, and was instrumental in budget negotiations that touched the lives of millions of North Carolinians.
Final Salute
Senator Pate’s life embodied service: to country, to state, to family, and to community. He leaves behind his wife, Joyce, his son Chip, and countless friends and colleagues who describe him as a rare leader—one who proved that dignity and kindness are not weaknesses in politics but enduring strengths.
As tributes pour in, eastern North Carolina remembers not just a lawmaker, but a neighbor, mentor, and friend. Senator Louis M. Pate Jr. will be remembered as a gentleman who left his state better than he found it.
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