With the racing media and the national media always living and reporting in the here and now and with the headlines of Tony Stewart and Kevin Ward, Jr. dominating the news, it's doubtful this obituary I spotted in this morning's Charlotte Observer will garner much attention outside family and immediate friends.
However, with our mission to honor the past, I think it is highly significant to note the passing of Donald E. Wade , former Office Manager for DePaolo Engineering Ford Motor Company Stock Car Racing Division and later Holman & Moody .
A Wadesboro, NC native and member of the "Greatest Generation" - serving aboard the U.S.S. Chincoteague in the South Pacific during WWII , Mr. Wade made his home in Charlotte.
While I didn't know Mr. Wade, there may be RR members who did. Another link to racing's golden era has now been broken. Prayers to family and friends of Mr. Wade
Donald E. Wade
Donald E. Wade CHARLOTTE - Mr. Wade, 87, of Charlotte, passed away Saturday morning, the 9th of August, 2014, at The Crossings at Steele Creek surrounded by his two sons.
He was born Saturday, the 4th of September, 1926, in Wadesboro, one of ten children, to the late Ernest E. Wade and Iowa Sigmon Wade.
A 1944 graduate of Central High School, Charlotte, he entered The United States Navy on June 26, 1944, where he proudly served during World War II aboard the USS Chincoteague in the Pacific Theatre off the coast of China.
After returning from war he attended Carolina Business School and worked several years in public accounting.
In 1957 he joined DePaolo Engineering Ford Motor Company Stock Car Racing Division, later Holman & Moody Racing, where he served as office manager for six interesting years.
Mr. Wade founded Southern Office Supply (SOS) of Charlotte in 1967 and spent the remainder of his life working for the firm which has remained a family business today.
In his younger years he enjoyed gardening, boating, water skiing and motor home traveling and took great pride in his lawn which he loved to landscape.
The Wade family will greet friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM, Wednesday, the 13th of August, 2014, at Ellington Funeral Services. The funeral cortege will then process to Sharon Memorial Park with a graveside service with military honors at 2:30 PM. Don was a loving husband and father, and his two granddaughters were a great joy to him.
He loved to tell exciting stories to his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Carolina Wade; his two sons: Mark Wade and wife, Tammy Wade and Lance Wade and wife, Marie Wade; two granddaughters: Callie Mae Wade and Natalie Elaine Wade; and one sister-in-law, Virginia Wade; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his five sisters: Evelyn, Olivia, Jeanette, Theresa and Norma Jean; and four brothers: E.E. Wade Jr. "Bus," Ralph, Burle and Bernard.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the beautiful new assisted living facility "The Crossings at Steele Creek" who helped make his last few weeks comfortable and cheerful. Also, thanks goes out to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region.
Memorials may be made to the donor's choosing. Notes of encouragement and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ellingtonfuneralservices.com . The Wade family is being served by Ellington Funeral Services, "The Historic Morehead St. Chapel," 727 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28202. 704.334.6700.
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlotte/obituary.aspx?n=donald-e-wade&pid=172049115&fhid=18573#sthash.LvJMh2RM.dpuf
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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
