Allen Tate, founder of real estate company, dies at age 84

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — H. Allen Tate Jr., founder and chairman of the Allen Tate Company and a leading voice in real estate and economic development for more than 60 years, has died at his home in Charlotte. He was 84.

Tate had been in failing health for a number of years, but continued to work at his Southpark-headquartered real estate company, according to a news release from the company.

Tate was born on April 23, 1931, raised in Gaffney, S.C. and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Shortly after in 1957, he took his father’s advice, moved to Charlotte and opened a one-man, one-location real estate and insurance office.

Tate believed that civic involvement was critical to business success, and during his career he served through various boards and organizations, including president of the Jaycees, chairman of the Charlotte Chamber, and chairman of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission.

In 1992, Tate hand-picked his successor when he hired Pat Riley to serve as president and chief operating officer of Allen Tate Company.

Tate is survived by his wife, Bessie; four children, Allen III and wife Sha; Elizabeth (Libby) Gordon and husband Paisley; Lauren Campbell and husband Malcolm; and Frank Burgess and wife Heather; and nine grandchildren.

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