Dads Funeral

I had to say goodbye to my Dad on May 4th, 2023 at 11:44pm. Stephen Allen Tate aka Steve Tate. I am absolutely devastated. He was my inspiration. He was my best friend and biggest fan. I was very open about how proud of I was of my Dad. As I got older, I was able to see what a great life he had. Born in 1946, he grew up in Tarzana and went to Taft High School. He would proudly say that he volunteered for his country during the Vietnam War and was NOT drafted. Served in The Navy in Guam as a Cryptologist. He then worked his way up at the Howard Anderson Company & Consolidated Film Industries. A friend of his gave him his first shot on a TV show to learn how to become a camera assistant and my Dad ran with the opportunity. The below list is just a partial list. He worked on Escape From New York, The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China, Return Of The Jedi, Back To The Future, Hook, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Romancing The Stone, and his dream job Schindlers List in ‘93. I was just born in ‘92. Dad got offered his dream job. He went. He worked on Schindlers List as a Key First Assistant Cameraman and sometimes B Camera Operator. He pulled focus for every shot of that film. Dad didn’t want to pursue Cinematography as he was moving on from being an assistant camera / operator, so he moved onto Producing. He produced three films, the first being one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s first films in 1994 titled “The Foot Shooting Party.” Dad continued to write and produce but soon retired from the film industry in the early 2000s from his injuries sustained during his military service & years as a cameraman. He then became the best Dad I could ever ask for. He retired and took care of my little sister Shoshana and I. Dad took me to every soccer & boxing practice. He let me hang out with my best friend as a 13 year old at the Simi Valley movie theater. He made sure we did our homework every night. He took me to countless air shows and film autograph signings. Unfortunately, his health declined the last several years. I became a caretaker for him starting at about 20 years old. Took him to every doctor appointment. Anything for Dad. This was the hardest day of my life.

Unfortunately, My Dad had spent all of his retirement and savings on raising me and my sister over the years and helping the family. He also had a lot of medical expenses over the years. He sacrificed everything for us even on a fixed income. I really need help offsetting some of the costs that’s why I’m reaching out to my friends. I don’t have a huge support system. My Mom is also retired and on a fixed income like my Dad was and all my grandparents have passed on also so I don’t have many people to reach out to for monetary help. My Dad was always that person for me when I needed help.

I am forever in debt to anyone that donates during this troubling time. Thank you so much.

Jason Tate