Arnold Adam Wade

Graveside services for Arnold Adam Wade, 81, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 30, 2020 at Elk Creek Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Wade passed away peacefully at 6:00 a.m., Sunday, July 26, 2020, at his home.

He was born July 29, 1938, in Howell County, Missouri, just a few miles from the Norfork River, near Hammonds Mill. He was the son of Clyde Walter and Elsie Vina “Gunter” Wade.  Mr. Wade received his early education, at Vienna, a one room schoolhouse, and later furthered his education with EMT training and certification and attended Southwest Missouri State University. He served his country for many years in the National Guard, and shared many tales, stories, and events he experienced with his fellow soldiers.  On September 3, 1960 he was married at Elk Creek Church to Ruth Imogene Puckett. Mr. Wade began working at an early age, alongside his father, in the construction field building many of the houses in West Plains and the surrounding areas. He was also employed with construction jobs in St. Louis, Springfield and worked several years at the Shoe Factory. In the mid-1970s he became a minister of God’s word, becoming licensed and ordained with the Assemblies of God and served in such a capacity until well after his retirement. He was also a proud supporter of Grizzly Basketball, West Plains Zizzers and the Koshkonong Blue Jays as he worked as a bus driver for close to 30 years, retiring from West Plains School District.  Mr. Wade was a born-again Christian. He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. He enjoyed life whether it was spending time with his kids, grandkids and in later years his great-grandkids. He looked forward to deer season, horse shows, travel, ballgames, etc. and attended them regularly; and he was always proud to loudly proclaim “his” as the best.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Wade, of the family home; three children, his sons, Rodney Wade and wife, Tabatha, West Plains, Missouri, Ricke Wade and wife, Jackie, Alton, Missouri and his daughter, Renetta Wade Peterson and husband Shayne, West Plains, Missouri; seven grandchildren Denver Wade and wife Lisa, Lacy Fox and husband Rick, Johna Wade, Summer Freeman and husband Matthew, Sydney Wade, Stone Peterson and Shayleeana Peterson; 10great-grandchildren Memphis, Monroe and Marshall Wade, Rylie, Stetson and Sawyer Fox, Huxley and Avett Freeman and Maverick and Draxton Wade; four sisters, Clydene Strader, Marylene Romans, Vonda Johnson and Joy Strawn; two brothers, James Wade and Warren Wade; four sisters-in-law, Dora Lloyd, Virginia Puckett, Wilma Joyce Puckett and Wilma Jean Puckett; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Wade is preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Zayne LeeAdam Peterson, two sisters, Rosalee Ryan and Dianna Hoagland and one brother Lawrence Wade.

Memorial contributions may be made to Elk Creek Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.