Tonja Tate

On Saturday, June 13, 2020, Tonja (Parks) Tate, wife and mother of one daughter, passed away suddenly from natural causes at the age of 63.

Tonja was born on July 1, 1956 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Rowland (Jr. “Sonny") and Velva (Miller) Parks. She grew up in a career Army officer family. She attended the Medical College of Virginia. Despite not finishing she received training at the Hampton, Virginia Fire Department Academy, eventually earning her certification as a paramedic and worked for 12 years as a first responder. She was first married to Brian Talley from which a lovely daughter, Constance Marie was born. Tonja remarried to her surviving husband, Dennis Tate, on October 19, 1992. From that time she was a supportive Navy wife during his career.

Tonja had a passion for painting. She also was an avid photographer. Add that her love of adventure, landscapes and her love of animals, she combined these favorite hobbies to create extraordinary art. Tonja’s paintings of various landscapes, and photographs of various subjects were much admired by friends and family. She was also an avid music lover, particularly Elvis Presley, Southern Gospel, Classical, and 1960s popular ballads. Her sense of humor and deep compassion has touched everyone with whom she ever interacted.

She is survived by her parents. Her daughter, her grandson, Michael, her sisters, Terry (Parks) Tackett and Yvette (Parks) Causey, her brother Rowland Parks III, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. A private funeral service will be held on a date to be determined at the Fort Myer, Virginia chapel. Graveside will be open to include close friends. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be sent to the ASCPA, or to the Longmont, Colorado Humane Society.