Obituary - Donald Alan Wade

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully on March 23, 2024 at the age of 81. He is survived by Karen Lucille Spindler Wade, (wife of 60 years), five daughters, Renee Shockley (David), Michelle Welsh (Craig), Noelle Irelan (Mike), Coleen Shepherd (Roger), Donna Juma (Skip), and thirteen grandchildren, Lauren Compton (Forrest), Nichole Shockley, Craig Welsh, Jr. (Brandi), Joseph Welsh, Benjamin Welsh, Daniel Welsh, Jonathan Welsh, Rowan Irelan, Declan Irelan, Roger Shepherd III, (Kristen), Joshua Shepherd, Kaylyn Shepherd, Wade Shepherd, and four great grandchildren, Harley Deaton and Karmine Shotta, Landon Welsh, future Baby Shepherd; his brother, Gene Wade (Carol), his sister, Sarah Hopper (Gary); sister/brothers-in-law, Valerie Thomas, Linda Leibovich, Mary Smith (Denny), Chuck Spindler, and many cherished nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father and mother, Maxwell and Neta Wade, and his brother, Phillip Wade, his brothers-in-law Dr. Marvin Leibovich and Harry Thomas, sisters-in-law Myra Spindler and Frances Wade, and niece, Amy Thomas, great nephew, Silas Jones and grandson, Sammy Welsh.

Don was born in Memphis, Tennessee on February 17, 1943, and graduated from Memphis State University and moved to Richmond, VA in ’68 to begin his teaching career in Henrico County schools, including Fairfield Middle School and Highland Springs High School. Known in the community as Coach Wade, he was the head coach of boys basketball at both schools. He helped coach many other sports, taught P.E., and Driver’s Education. Don completed his Master in Counseling at VCU. He counseled on the courts, fields, courses, and behind the wheel. He coached intensely and taught values and life skills. He enjoyed when families and students stopped to talk about the good ‘ole days.

His retirement years included time spent: with GRANDCHILDREN; traveling; watching grandkids’ sporting events, sitting with friends around the firepit, propagating trees and shrubs, playing weekly card games and snow birding on Florida beaches. He loved to follow professional and college sports, and was a loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and UVA teams. The family will always remember Don’s/Dad’s/Big D’s singing, guitar-playing, his quick wit, sense of humor, and his ability to mentor and counsel those in need. Through many adversities, he displayed faith in God, a strong will to live, to overcome, and to be there for his family.

Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Nelson’s Funeral Home on Thursday, March 28th. The funeral will be held at New Bridge Baptist Church on Friday, March 29th at 10:00am (5701 Elko Rd, Sandston). The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Coach Don Wade Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 952, Sandston, VA 23150. These funds will provide support to HSHS athletes, youth sports, and athletic scholarships.