James Wade

1937 - 2022

Wade, James
July 21, 1937 - December 17, 2022

James R. Wade, a Denver native, passed away peacefully at his home on December 17, 2022, blessed to have been able to say his final goodbyes to family and friends. Jim was born on July 21, 1937 to Robert Cyrus Wade and Margaret (Frazier) Wade. After graduating from East High School, he matriculated to Princeton University (Woodrow Wilson School) and then attended Harvard Law School.
After receiving his law degree, Jim moved back to Colorado to practice law, where he met and married Peggy Ann (Jones). Peggy and Jim raised their two daughters, Sarah and Katie, in Park Hill, a community they loved and in which they were both very involved, most especially with the Clayton Foundation and the local public schools which their daughters attended. Jim began his early legal career at Dawson Nagel Sherman & Howard in 1962, then did a stint as general counsel in Leadville, followed by years at Grant Shafroth Toll & McHendrie, during which time he began his focus on probate law. Jim took the family on a year-long sabbatical and adventure to Cape Cod in 1975, where he wrote his widely acclaimed and recognized book on probate law, which continues to this day to be used as resource for probate lawyers. That year, the Cape became a place which would become near and dear to the entire family for years to come (especially to Jim and Peggy for their connection with nature and the ocean), and also where Jim connected with his second wife, Kay Kramer, after the passing of Peggy in 1992. Jim was appointed Judge of the Denver Probate Court from 1977 to 1982 and received the Treat Award for Excellence in Probate from the National College of Probate Judges. After stepping down from the bench in 1982, Jim and a handful of legal colleagues who shared the same core values and expertise in estate planning formed the boutique firm Wade Ash Woods Hill & Farley, PC, which continues to this day to be voted a "Best Law Firm in Colorado" for its probate work. Jim continued to practice law with Wade Ash after marrying Kay in 1994, splitting his time between Denver and either Cape Cod or West Hartford, CT. Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" for multiple years, he was a member of the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel, where he served on the Board of Regents and received many accolades. He was involved in and recognized by numerous professional legal societies and philanthropic organizations, both locally, nationally and internationally. He taught at the University of Denver College of Law and at the University of Colorado Law School, and was very involved with the Colorado Bar Association in its Continuing Legal Education program. Many of Jim's colleagues in the legal community considered him an expert, as well as a friend and mentor. A huge amount of gratitude goes to Barbara Cohen, Jim's secretary for 37 years, without whom a lot of the previously mentioned accomplishments might not have been possible!
Jim's resume, awards and accolades are too many to list... But at the heart of it, Jim was not only an extremely smart man, but a very kind and generous one whose interests and relationships helped make up his whole self. Besides being devoted to his family, Jim was lucky enough to make and keep lifelong friends, from his early Denver days spent in Boy Scouts, at Camp Tahosa, at East High School, and working at the popsicle factory. He remained close with adventure buddies he made in the Colorado Mountain Club, old friends from Park Hill, and fellow birdwatchers and other naturalists from coast to coast. He kept his intellect and cultural interests alive with his New Yorker reading group in West Hartford, his Denver opera and symphony group, and those at the Cactus Club, who he cherished meeting with for lunch every Friday.
Jim survived a life-changing stroke on Thanksgiving Day of 2021 and worked hard this past year to regain his strength while reinventing a new life. Relocating to Balfour in July 2021 after Kay's passing, he was an integral and valued part of this wonderful community, developing new friendships with other residents, as well as reconnecting with old friends and past acquaintances also residing there. He was an active and treasured participant in the Hot Topics and Colorado Conversations groups, and co-led a Meditation group. He was extremely fortunate to have had many kind and dedicated caregivers over the past year at Balfour, each of whom helped him regain strength and a sense of independence. A teacher at heart, he made it his mission to read poetry out loud to them, identify birds and explain their migratory habits on their walks, and listen to and share the stories behind opera - three of his greatest passions - as he felt that it was important that he repay them in wisdom and knowledge for their care of him. Many of them regarded Jim as the father they never had. The family wishes to extend its gratitude to each caregiver, as well as to everyone at Brighton Hospice, all of whom supported him on both the good and the hard days, and who helped Jim reach the end of his life with dignity and a sense of peace.
Jim was predeceased by his first wife, Peggy, in 1992 and then his second wife, Kay, in 2021. He is survived by his brother, John E. Wade of Cincinnati, OH, and by his two daughters Sarah (David) Swank of Parker, CO, and grandchildren Glenn & Maggie Swank, and Katie (Charles) Swabey of Williamstown, MA, and grandchildren Ollie & Nellie Swabey, all of whom were the lucky recipients of his continued love and support over their entire lives. He was a caring friend, mentor and stepfather to Kay's children, John Lazarus (Divide, CO), Nancy Taylor (West Hartford, CT) and Heidi (Bill) Lachut (West Hartford, CT), and loving grandfather to Kay's grandchildren Kylor, Bella & Madi Lachut. With all those close to him, related by blood or not, Jim was always there to lend a hand or an ear, share his vast knowledge of so many subjects, learn from and support others in their interests, discuss current affairs, promote his appreciation of nature, and teach everyone about the importance of being kind and true to oneself. He is also survived by his incredibly special "sweetie," Susan King, who nursed him through his stroke recovery and gave him a new lease on life and a reason to keep getting better... later-in-life love does exist! Jim also leaves his two devoted cats, Rosie and Lily, who never left his side, and were a source of great comfort.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 10:00am at the First Unitarian Society of Denver, 1400 N. Lafayette Street, Denver, CO 80218. The service will be streamed for those who are not able to attend in person. A reception will follow.
Donations in his memory can be made to: Opera Colorado, 4121 S. Navajo St., #100, Englewood, CO 80110 or to Massachusetts Audubon Society, Coastal Breeding Bird Program, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, 291 State Highway, Route 6, South Wellfleet, MA 02663