Jim Wade's Obituary
James (Jim) Arden Wade, 56, of Suwanee, Ga., died on Monday, Dec. 21, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer. He lived graciously with it until the very end. In many, many ways, by inspiring and teaching us, he won his battle in other very important ways. He was a wonderful role model right to the end. Jim is survived by his daughter, Logan Wade, of Athens, Ga. and his wife and loving companion, Debra Wade, stepchildren Rachelle Byrd and son-in-law Jason Byrd of Unicoi, Tenn., Jason Elliott of West Palm, Fla., Todd Elliott and daughter-in-law Brooke Elliott of Elizabethton, Tenn. He is also survived by his mother, Nell Wade- Martin, of Germantown, Tenn. and his brother, Ron Wade, and sister-in-law, Christy Wade, of Memphis, Tenn. and their children – his nephew, Daniel Wade, and his wife, Erica Wade, of Little Rock, Ark., and his niece, Anna Bohnett, and her husband, Jeremy Bohnett, of Searcy Ark. Jim was born to the late William (Bill) Wade and Nell Davis on Aug. 6, 1959 in Memphis, Tenn. He enjoyed attending Perimeter Church in Atlanta and graduated Kappa Sigma Kappa from Harding University in 1977, receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Jim was employed for more than 25 years with SmithKline Beecham-Quest Diagnostics, serving as Vice President Commercial South Region and retiring in 2003. He was an inspiration and mentor to many, approaching life with zest and a sense of humor. Jim had many successes in life but his greatest love was being a father to his beautiful daughter, Logan. During Jim’s cancer journey, he heard many life stories of people, recipients, living donors and their families making a difference as donation supporters – one organ donor can save up to 8 lives. At one time, Jim was one of the 122,587 people waiting on an organ. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting you give the gift of love by signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor in your state at www.organdonor.gov or make a donation to HopeWorks, Inc. to be made in his memory – www.whyhopeworks.org – 1930 Union Ave. Memphis, TN 38104. Receiving friends (visitation) will be held Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, December 24, 2015 at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 at 11:30 a.m.
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