Dallas Wade DeMerchant

1967 - 2024

Dallas Wade DeMerchant

January 28, 1967 - January 18, 2024

Wade's last haul began in the early hours of January 18th, 2024, lovingly held in the arms of his wife and daughter.

Born to Floyd and Louise DeMerchant in Salmon Arm, B.C., Wade and his little sister Terri grew up in Prince George. Wade graduated from P.G.S.S. in 1985. His natural leadership skills were enhanced by attending Educo summer camp for several years. Wade explored B.C. and the Yukon from the seat of a truck, traveling with his father Floyd. This fueled his lifelong interest in gold. Wade inherited a serious work ethic, beginning with a paper route and assisting Floyd in the shop as a boy. This evolved into detailing and greasing trucks as a preteen, eventually acquiring his class one license at age 18 in Alberta. Wade apprenticed for his uncle at Stan's Diesel as a mechanic before heading north to Fort St. James to fine tune his welding skills. At age 20 Wade was diagnosed with cancer for the first time. Determined to not let this stop him, Wade received treatment in Vancouver and Prince George, relocating back to PG as chemo treatments were just becoming available in the north. Regaining his health, Wade went into partnership with Floyd on a truck. This brought Wade back to the Fort, where he soon met Cathy McMeekan.

Wade and Cathy were married in a fog of mosquitoes on the shores of Stuart Lake at Camp Morice, May 18th, 1991. They built a home, a business of their own, and a legacy of three: Nick, Sally, and Daniel. Despite long work hours, Wade was a devoted father. Truck rides with Dad were always a treat. Wade spent countless hours on the road, but still managed to make many cherished memories with his family at Murray Ridge Ski hill, hunting, fishing, and camping.

Life was not complete without a four-legged friend - feline or canine. He loved his many animal companions, including his final co-pilot, Boomer, who accompanied Wade everywhere he went.
Wade lived and breathed trucks. His knowledge was vast and he was determined to guide the next generation - Nick and Daniel. He was proud of the company he built, seeing his boys nearly every day brought him great pride.

Cathy and Wade relocated from the Fort to be closer to the base of operations, settling on the shores of Bednesti Lake. With his family's support at home and in the workplace, Wade was able to persevere through recurring bouts of cancer. Wade wasn't ready to call it a day and refused to let the cancer hold him back. He continued to build his legacy as his livelihood truly was his dream. Wade loved being a part of his kid's and grandkid's lives and was enjoying the new chapter that Bednesti had brought him and Cathy.

Wade is lovingly survived by his wife Cathy, son Nick (Tahjauna, Amelia and Joe), daughter Sally, son Daniel, mother Louise DeMerchant, sister Terri (Terry Corley), niece Paige Laudrum (Evan and Westyn) nephew Lynden Corley, niece Brie Corley, sisters-in-laws Janis Zakoor and Nancy McMeekan (Chip Schafer). He was predeceased by his father Floyd DeMerchant, in-laws Ernie and Joan McMeekan, and brother in-law Bill McMeekan.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, February 4, 2024 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, at the Coast Inn of the North Ballroom.