James Wesley “Jim” Tate, 66, of Columbus, GA died Friday, September 4, 2026.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, September 14, 2026 in the chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. A private interment will be held at Parkhill Cemetery.

Jim was born in Nashville, TN, he was raised and worked on the family farm until he joined the U.S. Army and entered active duty at the age of 19 in May 1979. He served in all ranks from Private to OPNS Sergeant Major. He served as a member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), Presidential Honor Guard and Casket Team, 1983-1985. He was the Relief Commander 2nd Relief and Assist Sergeant of the Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Badge number 272, Arlington National Cemetery, VA. He Earned U.S. Army Airborne Wings, Air Assault Wings, Pathfinder Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge and the Expert Infantryman’s Badge and retired from the Army in 2001. After retiring Jim worked in telecommunications as Installation supervisor for 4 years and served 6 years as Operations Manager for Lockheed Martin responsible for government contractors at the United States Army Sniper School, Long Range Marksman Course, Small Arms Course, Non-commissioned Advanced Course and the Unmanned Aerial Course at Ft. Benning, Georgia.

Jim was predeceased by his loving parents Floyd L. “Pappy” Tate, Vera Estelle Taylor Tate, a sister Doris Faye “Faye Baby” Tate and a son, Wesley Tate. He is survived by his loving wife Barbara and two children Samanatha “Sami’ Faye Tate and James Andrew “BJ” Tate, six grandchildren Alex, Kyleigh, Hayden, Maverick, Fletcher and Benny.

He was a member of Fort Benning Masonic Lodge No. 579 F.&A.M., Columbus and 10 other Lodges in various states, He served the Grand Lodge of Georgia for thirty years and was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Shriner and President of the Columbus Shrine Club, Past Patron of Fort Benning Chapter # 278 Order of the Eastern Star Past Patron of Peachtree Court #2 Order of the Amaranth, Past President and Secretary of Fort Benning Chapter # 8 National Sojourners. On May 7, 2019, Jim was Elected and Installed, Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of Georgia.

Jim, better known as “Tomb Guard”, was a member of the Widow’s Sons Motorcycle Riding Association of Georgia, Roosevelt Chapter and loved riding his Gold Wing with his Brothers to raise money for charity. Besides helping others in need, one of Jim’s greatest pleasures was arranging and sometimes personally giving tours of the barracks to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington. Rest easy “Tomb Guard”.

In lieu flowers please consider a donation to Peachtree Court #2, Order of Amaranth, 6905 Silver Maple Trail, Fairburn, GA 30213, or Beallwood Baptist Church, 4650 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, GA 31904.