James R. "Jim" Wade

James "Jim" R. Wade

Holt - James enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 where he served his first tour in Vietnam from March of 1967 to September of 1968. While serving in Vincenza, Italy as a member of the U.S. Army's Southern European Task Force, James learned that his brother "Stan", came down on orders to Vietnam. Against his brother's wishes, he volunteered for an additional tour in Vietnam in his brother's place. Having completed a total of 29 months deployed to Vietnam, James returned home to work as a foreman at his father's ever growing Wade's Roofing Company in January of 1973. Missing the military life, James enlisted in the Michigan National Guard and was assigned to Co. F (RANGER) 425 INF, where he served for one year before returning to active duty in 1975. After serving in Germany, James was stationed in Ft. Stewart Georgia and then Ft. Benning Georgia where he became a Founding Father of the United States Army Infantry School's Bradley Master Gunner Program. Along with a team of subject matter experts, they helped develop training, and doctrine that are still used to this day. James was medically retired from that U.S. Army after serving 16 and a half years. His Awards and Medals include: Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge; Parachutist Badge; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with 1 silver star, 3 bronze stars; Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 device; Good Conduct Medal (5th Award); NCO Professional Development Medal (Num 3); Overseas Medal; Expert Qualification Badge (Rifle & Pistol); Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary (Earls) Wade, a brother Jackie (Tonja) Wade, and in-laws, Frederick and Elaine Lamb. Jim is survived by his wife of 42 years, Dawn (Lamb) Wade; two children, Jessica Wade of Lansing, Michigan and Sean Wade of Dimondale, Michigan; brothers, Robert "Stan" (Cathy) and Timothy Wade; granddaughter Emerald (SeVonte) Wade-McDonald, a great-grandson GioVanni McDonald, and many in-laws, friends, and extended family members. There will be a private Memorial Service with Military Honors on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Holt Chapel. You may join the family virtually on the Palmer, Bush & Jensen Facebook Page. Public visitation will be held following the service from 2:30-4:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hero's Haven in Eaton Rapids, Michigan in memory of Jim.