Albert John Thate of Carbondale died Friday, March 7, 2003, at his home. He was 89.

He was born May 25, 1913, to Ernest and Marie Thate at Burkett, Texas.

He grew up in Burkett and attended school there through the 10th grade. In 1931, he moved to Denver. He worked a variety of jobs – “anything to make a dollar,” he would say. Those jobs included cleaning chicken houses and sewer lines, construction work, and farm and ranch work.

On Oct. 7, 1933, Albert married Emma Belle Thompson in Denver. In 1942 they moved to Carbondale.

They moved around for a number of years, spending time in California and Arizona before settling in Durango, Colo., for 13 years. In 1969 they returned to Carbondale, where Albert spent the rest of his life.

He worked for the Mid-Continent Resources coal mine. His last and favorite job was working 200 to 300 cattle on the old Sievers Ranch for Jackie and Bob Gross.

He enjoyed going every morning to the Red Rock Diner for coffee and fellowship. He lived for the outdoors and loved hunting and fishing. His greatest love was his wife, “Babe,” and he admired and appreciated the way she loved and stood by him for nearly 70 years. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He was preceded in death by a son, Ernest; three brothers and one sister.

Survivors include his wife; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Nita Thate of East Carbon, Utah; and Richard and Marcia Thate of Grand Junction; a daughter and son-in-law, Dixie and David Marshall of Carbondale; daughter-in-law Mary Thate of Lonoke, Ark.; nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, a great-great-granddaughter; many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.