Jay David Wade, lovingly known as Coop, Woody, Dad, and Pappy, passed away December 1st, 2025, at the age of 62. He was born September 23rd, 1963, to Gerald and Joyce Wade in Lubbock, Texas. As a young boy, Jay spent many weekends at Lake Eufaula on the houseboat built by his dad, surrounded by his sister Kelly, parents, the Smith family, and many other Weleetka families, developing a lifelong love for being on the water, skiing, and fishing. Jay often shared fond stories of his childhood and the love he had for his dad, mom, and sister.

Jay was a 1981 graduate of Weleetka High School. After high school, Jay learned to fly airplanes and earned his pilot's license. He was notorious for taking his friends and family for a spin they would never forget--truly, any moment spent with Jay was bound to result in a memorable story to be retold time and time again. Following high school, Jay enlisted in the Navy and served active duty for three years, followed by three years of inactive reserve service before being honorably discharged. Following his military service, Jay graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics. While in the Navy a nd aboard the U.S.S. Reeves and the U.S.S. Knox, Jay had the opportunity to travel the world, including spending time in Japan and the Philippines, and even getting airlifted off a ship.

Jay and Tracy were high school sweethearts and reconnected after his military service, dating for two years before getting married on December 21st, 1991. They lived in Oklahoma and Nebraska while Jay worked as an Agronomist and eventually settled in the Kansas City area. Jay became a father in 1995 with the birth of his daughter, Teddi Jace, and Marshall Heston soon after in 1996. Jay will be remembered for his numerous catchphrases, such as Check It, Rock On, Stand Back, Kick Ass, and his nicknames for all his family, including Coop, Dogman, RTLM, and Sugar. As a dad, Jay provided beloved memories for Teddi and Marshall, including ski trips, camping, gardening, playing high-stakes Dominoes games, and lake days spent tubing. Jay became a proud grandfather to Leo Heston White in
August 2025. Pappy couldn't get enough of kissing Leo's head and calling him rascal.
Jay worked in the agriculture and pest control industries for the majority of his career. He l oved to spend his time visiting with his people, taking trips to Oklahoma to hunt, fish, and party with friends, crawfish boils, two-stepping, and listening to classic country music. He will be remembered for being unapologetically himself fiercely loyal, adventurous, nostalgic, sending Facebook reels, and never hesitating to lend a helping hand. Most recently, Jay's lifelong love for the lake led him to purchase a houseboat at Truman Lake, where he spent many weekends with Tracy fishing and cooking.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Wade (Jo Wade) of Tyler, Texas, and his mother, Joyce Wade of Geary, Oklahoma. Jay is survived by the love of his life, Tracy Wade, as well as his two children and grandchild: Teddi White (Russell), Leo White, and Marshall Wade (Katie) of Olathe, Kansas. He is also survived by his sister, Kelly Wade King (Willy) of Ennis, Texas, as well as nephew Nick King (Jenn), niece Lindsay Horn, five great-nephews and a great-niece.

A funeral service is planned for Saturday, December 13th at 2 pm at Weleetka First Baptist Church. followed by military honors at the burial site at Hillcrest Cemetery in Wetleeka. Additional information can be found through the Williamson-Spradlin Funeral Home website. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that people make donations to the Cars Helping Veterans organization in Jay's name. Cars Helping Veterans is a nonprofit Jay often supported and
works to restore cars for veterans.