Thomas Merrell "Tom" Wade

Thomas Merrell Wade passed away at the age of 89 after a brief illness at his home in Arab on February 28, 2013. He was an aerospace engineer with NASA for 31 years, working at Redstone Arsenal, and engaged in the Redstone, Pershing, Jupiter C, Apollo and Shuttle programs until his retirement in 1985. He was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran, serving as the commanding officer on an LCI(L) in the South Pacific. Mr. Wade was active in his community over the years, serving in the Civil Defense, Lion’s Club, Civitan Club and Arab High School Band Boosters. He was a founding member of the Arab Public Library, along with his wife Anna Wade, who served as library board chair in its early decades. Mr. Wade was one of the last surviving members of the Liar’s Club, a group of local retired professionals who formed a corporation in the 1980s to keep the historic L Rancho Café afloat, and allowing it to continue as a popular gathering place for themselves and many others. More recently, he met daily with friends at Rooster’s Coffee Shop. The Wades were long-time active members of the Arab First United Methodist Church. Mr. Wade, the elder son of William Thomas Wade and Mae Adams Wade, was born in Cherokee County, Georgia. He was a graduate of Ackworth High School, West Georgia College, and Georgia Institute of Technology. He was a Life Member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Alabama Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Mr. Wade is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Anna Fariss Wade, and his daughter Carolyn Virginia Wade. Survivors include his daughter, The Rev. Nancy Wade Kline (Sims) of DeLand, FL, and his son, Fariss Thomas Wade (Letha) of Navarre Beach. FL. He has four grand-children: Anna Kline Bressler (Jordan) of Winter Park, FL; Dr. Caroline Kline Saulino (Mike) of Troy, MI; Carrie Wade of Ft. Myers, FL; and Matthew Wade of West Palm Beach, FL; also, two great-granddaughters, Sarah Wade and Lily Kate Bressler. He is also survived by his brother, Bill J. Wade of Winston, GA. There will be a memorial service at the Arab First United Methodist Church on Sat., Mar. 9 at 11:00 a.m., the Rev. Kenny Baskins officiating, followed by burial at the Arab Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Arab Public Library or the Arab First United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel in Arab.

Thomas Merrell "Tom" Wade

May 1, 1923 - February 28, 2013