Adrian Wade Jr

The Tiger Has Gone.

Adrian B. Wade Jr. passed away on December 24th, 2016. Adrian was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011 and had several types of treatments. His primary care physician with the Veterans Administration said "Adrian put up a good fight."

Adrian was born in Animas City, just north of Durango on May 14th, 1937. One of the family stories is Adrian's father delivered him at home and Dr. Darling got there in time to sign the birth certificate.

Adrian started 1st grade at the old Fort Lewis College in 1942, went to Animas City School 2nd-6th grades and is now an Alumni of the School. He graduated from Durango High, Class of 1956 and was active in planning all class reunions up until 2016. Adrian went to Fort Lewis College, Durango Campus, 1960-1964 and in the spring of 1965, he was the first graduating class of as a Baccalaureate in Degree Granting College at Fort Lewis.

Adrian served 4 years on active duty in the Army and 4 years in the Colorado National Guard, as Fire Direction Officer in the local artillery unit, he was honorable discharged as a 1st Lieutenant.

Another family story when Adrian's mother, Flossie Weems' mother died in the 1930's, Flossie, her father and her 2 sisters left the homestead in Lewis, CO and moved to Cortez. Flossie finished high school, got a job and carried a revolver in her purse. She was reportedly the Best Pistol Shot on both sides of the family.

Adrian lived and worked in Durango his entire life. For 6 years he owned and operated a shoe store at 1021 Main Avenue, known as Shoe Roundup and then later became Adrian's Shoe Store. In 1974, Adrian sold the shoe store and ran for La Plata County Assessor as a Democrat. Adrian lost to the Republican Incumbent by a narrow margin. He then started Wade Construction, a repair and remodel construction company. Adrian had very large and loyal customer base that kept him working until he was 75 years old.

Adrian is survived by two sons, Adrian B. Wade III (Sareatha Fuller) of Ignacio, John Elbert Wade (Mary Wade) of Bayfield. He is also survived by his ex-wife, Eunice G. Wade of Durango, his sister Sedoanya (Wade) Campbell of Pasco, WA, his loyal and loving best friend Joella Dunagan, who was his care giver in his final years, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Adrian was preceded in death by his father, Adrian B. Wade Sr. (1971) mother, Flossie L. Weems (1969( and brother, W. Norton Wade (2008).

A service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Greenmount Cemetery Odd Fellows section. Adrian requests, in lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to “Wounded Warriors.” Donations can be made online at woundedwarriorproject.org/donate or by mail: Wounded Warrior Project PO BOX 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.