Richard Wade

Richard “Rich” Wade, (86) of Gilroy, California passed away August 12, 2023. He lived in Morgan Hill from 1976 – 1999. Richard was an only child, born to Katherine Wise, on April 7, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois. For his first six years, while his mother served as a nurse in the United States Navy, he moved from house to house in Mount Vernon, Missouri, being raised by his grandparents Hyson and Ora Wise, Aunt Dorothy Wise, and Aunt Ina Kane. Richard had many fond memories growing up with his cousins Bob Davis, Jeff and Jerry “JM” Wise, and Archie and Ron Kane. 

At the age of six, Richard’s mother moved him to California. He graduated in 1955 from Belmont High School in Los Angeles. Rich attended Occidental College for one semester before enlisting in the US Army. He was stationed in Germany with the 8th Infantry Division, 13th Regiment from 1956 – 1959. After serving, he worked fulltime at LA Water and Power and took night classes at Chaffey Community College where his mother taught nursing. In 1967, he moved to San Jose to attend San Jose State University on a GI Bill. He graduated in 1969, majoring in physical education with a minor in Psychology. Rich did his student teaching/coaching at Los Altos High School and then substitute taught and coached at Oak Grove High School. At this point, he was having a difficult time getting a full-time position, so he went back to college to earn a minor in Mathematics. In the fall of 1974, at the age of 37, he landed his dream job at Santa Teresa High School in San Jose teaching Math and coaching both Boys and Girls Track and Field and Cross Country, as well as Girls Soccer. When he retired in 1999 from Santa Teresa and moved to Crossville, Tennessee, he continued to coach and substitute teach for another 15 years at Cumberland County High School. Rich impacted the lives of hundreds of high school students through coaching and teaching.  

Not only was Rich a coach for 40+ years, he was also a lifelong athlete, running 6 – 10 miles a day. He ran 8 marathons, and countless half marathons, 10K’s, and 5K’s during his lifetime. Every Saturday he ran the trails at The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos. Every Sunday he ran The Los Gatos Creek Trail. Rich was a football player in Jr. High and High School, an intramural wrestler and runner at San Jose State, a soccer player, and an excellent golfer. When he moved to Tennessee, he competed every year in the Senior Olympics. In October 2022, at the age of 85 he participated in The Bay Area Senior Olympics, competing in the 400m and 800m capturing the Gold in both events.  

Rich is survived by his three children, Richard Wade, Terri Edwards, and Tracey Wade, and his son in law Ashley Edwards. He is also survived by his grandchildren John Edwards, Blair Burdette, Krystle Bravo, and Dominic Malacara, and his great grandchildren Anthony Bravo, Riley Bravo, and Lily Kathryn Burdette. He was predeceased by his mother Katherine, his wife Judy, and his son Robert. 

There will be a Memorial Service for Richard on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. The service will be at South Valley Community Church in Gilroy at 8095 Kelton Drive. Reception will follow.