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June 7, 1927 - December 7, 2016 Mr. Wade Lanning Herren went to be with the Lord on December 7, 2016. Wade was born on June 7, 1927, in Birmingham, Alabama, the younger of two sons. He graduated from Ramsay High School and served in the Navy during World War II (1945-1946). Wade's older brother introduced him to tennis, shaping the course of his life. He attended Tulane University and Birmingham-Southern University on tennis scholarships. He won over 200 tennis titles, including an SEC Championship in 1948 while at Tulane and four national championships. He later founded Highland Racket Club and contracted to build tennis courts all over the South. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the Southern Tennis Association HOF, the Alabama Tennis Association HOF, and the Birmingham-Southern HOF for his achievements and influence in the sport of tennis. He married Vivien Stretton Smith on December 16, 1961, and they welcomed three children into their family. He joined Briarwood Presbyterian Church in 1966 and served there as an elder and Sunday school teacher. He served on the board of Better Basics and Young Business Leaders and as President of the Alabama Tennis Association. In his retirement years, Wade carefully kept a series of notebooks in which he chronicled his many blessings - especially the people God had placed in his life - and thanked God for every single one. Wade is preceded in death by his father, Wood S. Herren, his mother, Knoxye Lanning Herren, and his brother, Wood S. Herren, M.D. of Birmingham. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vivien, whom he loved greatly, and by his sister-in-law, Ruth Holcombe Herren. He created a legacy of faith for his children, Kenric Wood Herren (Donna), Patrick Wade Herren (Russ), and Bridget Elizabeth Taylor (Paul), all of Birmingham. He lived his faith in Christ compellingly before his ten grandchildren, Claire, Hannah, Wood, Paul, Laura, Wade, Maggie, Anna Gardner, Joshua, and Knox. On Monday, December 12, a memorial service will be held in Birmingham at Briarwood Presbyterian Church at 1:30 p.m. with visitation to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Wade's life. We who love and serve Christ do not grieve as those who have no hope. We miss him, but his faith was in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and we will see him again. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Briarwood Presbyterian Church or to the Alabama Tennis Foundation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sorry for your loss may the word from the Bible at Hosea 13:14 bring you comfort.
March 2, 2017
A true and faithful Christian man , he lived his faith, served the lord and was someone everyone looked up to.
John Heitkam
February 16, 2017
He left such a legacy of Faith, family and tennis!!!! Chandra Howard-Moore
Chandra Moore
December 12, 2016
A true gentleman and mentor within the Tennis Industry. Wade was always there when anyone needed help RIP
Jack Justice
December 12, 2016
Wade sold me my first good tennis racquet in 1960, a TA Davis which I still have. As someone said, you generally bought whatever racquet he recommended. :-)
Although he won over 200 tennis titles, including an SEC Championship in 1948 while at Tulane and four national championships, the prize he will cherish most is his free ticket to Heaven through the saving Grace of his Lord Jesus Christ.
Since my own sweet Mother's passing I have come to realize much more clearly that the reality of Heaven is just as much a matter of our basic Christian faith as our belief in the existence of God and Christ.
If we say we believe in Christ, we must believe that what He has told us is true about life after death in Heaven for all true believers.
In light of Heaven's actual existence and sure rewards, we can be happy for the gain of our loved ones' who have put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, despite the sadness of our loss.
We can also be greatly comforted by looking forward to our reunion relatively soon with all those in the Lord who have gone on before us.
May God give His blessing and comfort as we pray to Him, the God of our fathers and mothers, and put our full faith and trust in His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the only One Who can give us eternal life.
Bob Cosby, M. D.
December 11, 2016
We loved this man! He always had a smile and a hug for me.
Lynn Costner Farris
December 11, 2016
Having practically grown up on the courts of Highland Racquet club in the sixties, Wade was a mentor, friend and great example. He was a blessing to so many. What a beautiful life to celebrate and to mourn. God bless you all, Richard Abernethy
Richard Abernethy
December 11, 2016
A life well lived. RIP, sir.
December 11, 2016
So sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort be with you.
A.K
December 10, 2016
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