Tom E. Wade

   Thomas Edward Wade, age seventy-four, of Harlan, Kentucky, finished his race in this world and met his Savior face to face on Sunday, December 26, 2021. Tom was born on March 4, 1947, at the Harlan Hospital, to Willis and Bessie Wade. Tom graduated from Loyall High School and went on to graduate from Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky, with a business degree. On March 16, 1974, Tom married his high school sweetheart, JoAnn Sergent, at the Calvary Baptist Church. He became a schoolteacher; a job that lasted only two years. Two years was enough time for Tom to decide education was not the field he wanted to be in. He took a job with Eastover Mining Company in 1973 and worked many years in the mining industry. Tom was a mining superintendent when he retired, at which time, he put his love of carpentry to work and became a general contractor for a number of years.

     Tom was passionate about gardening and old cars. He enjoyed entering his own cars in car shows and loved to attend any car show he could get to. Tom was a people person. He never met a stranger and talking was something he was REALLY good at! Talking was probably his favorite thing to do. His ‘gift of gab’ would serve him well throughout his life. He was a member of the Gideons, an association of businessmen, who share God’s Word. Tom thoroughly enjoyed traveling wherever he could, to speak on behalf of the Gideon organization. He loved sharing the good news about Jesus. He was a member of the Kelly Street Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and occasionally filled in behind the pulpit until the current pastor was hired. Tom was a wonderful witness for and servant of Jesus Christ. He was a good man who touched many lives. Many smiles and much laughter will be shared as family and friends reminiscence of their encounters with Tom.

     A special thank you to 'Doctor Goob', Tom's personal 'doctor' and dear friend, Barbara Hensley, who, for years, was the guiding force behind Tom's healthcare.

     Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Willis Edward Wade and Bessie Byrd Wade; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Kenneth and Lucille Sergent; and a sister.

     Left to cherish his memory is his wife of more than forty-seven years, JoAnn Sergent Wade; a nephew, Bryan Sergent and family, of Andersonville, TN; two nieces, Suzanne and Kim; his church family at Kelly Street Baptist Church; as well as extended family and many, many friends.

     Visitation for Tom will be Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at the Harlan Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00PM, with the funeral service beginning at 7:00.  Reverend Donnie Adkisson will be officiating. A graveside service will be held Thursday at 1:00 at the Resthaven Cemetery, Keith, KY.  Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

     Harlan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Wade family.