Joseph “Joe” Wade, 75, of Cleveland, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family, on Sunday July 26, 2020.
Joe became a patriot for his country at an early age, as he was raised in a traveling military family. His most fond childhood memories were during his time spent in Oahu and Hilo, Hawaii, as well as the Farmington, Il. area. In 1966, Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War through 1968. Joe spent the next 35 years working as a welder at Bowater, before retiring at the age of 58, due to the effects of Agent Orange.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Theadus W. Wade and Juanita Smith Wade; stepmother of 41 years, Imogene Kincaid Wade, brother and his wife, Jerry & Barbara Wade; sister, Brenda Wade; and grandparents, Harrison & Willie Smith.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Sharon Harper Wade; daughter, Rebecca “Bekki” Wade Samples; son, Russell “Rusty” Rymer; grandchildren, Racheal Rymer Swigert (Bobby), Russell “Dusty” Rymer (Heather), Brittany Samples and Wade Samples; great-grandchildren, Layla and Landon Swigert; brother, James “Jakie” Wade; sisters, Barbara “Bobbie” Wilcut and Lavelva “Sissy” Wells; special nephew, Todd Wade; and many other relatives and friends.
The family will have a private ceremony at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the charity of your choice in Joe’s memory.
The family would also like to publicly thank Hearth Hospice for taking such great care of Joe during his illness, specifically M.J. Bartolo, Michelle Brewer and Samara Lanning.