John Edward Wade

 

On February 20, 2023 John Edward Wade went to his eternal home. John was born in Kelsey, Texas on November 30, 1933 to Jasper Clifford Wade and Lola Ault Wade. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On April 9, 1958 he met Francis Jane Wade and married on August 29, 1958. They were sealed in the Dallas Temple on August 28, 1999. They were married for 63 ½ years until her death.

John graduated from Gilmer High School and then joined the Army where he served in Korea as a helicopter and Aircraft mechanic. After serving for three years John attended the University of Southern Arkansas where he graduated in 1961 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering and Geology. Upon graduation, John went to work at Magnet Cove in Arkansas where he worked in the mines.

Later he became employed by the Texas Department of Food and Drug Inspector where he traveled all across Texas. While living in Plainview, TX John received a call to help design and build the dam at Millwood Lake in Arkansas. After completion of the Lake Project, John went to work for Arkansas Oil & Gas in El Dorado, Arkansas. Four years later John was asked to come back to the family farm by his father due to an injury he had. John came home and took over the dairy farm with his three sons for 19 years. After selling the farm John went to work for the U. S. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resource Conservation Service in Groesbeck and Gilmer, Texas where he was employed for 33 years. John retired on June 28, 2019 at the age of 85.

John is survived by his sons Steve Wade and wife Sandy, Alan Wade and wife Debbie, and Chad Wade all of Gilmer; seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Jane Wade; parents; and two brothers Junior Calvin Wade and Charles Wade.

Visitation will be held at Croley Funeral Home on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 24, 2023 at Kelsey Cemetery with Bishop Dennis Means officiating.

Pallbearers are Josh Wade, J.T. Wade, Jacob Wade, Chris Dougan, Kevin Reardon, and Freddy Ward.