Jack Ray Wade

Jack R. Wade of College Station passed away on August 19, 2025 in Temple, Texas. Jack was born January 31, 1943 in Webb City, Missouri, to parents Kenneth Harrison Wade and Bessie Shirell Wade. He had three sisters Sue, Donna, and Kezia. He graduated from Miami Edison High School in Miami Beach, Florida in 1960. He graduated in 1973 from North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. He served 24 years in the U.S Army flying helicopters and served in two wars, Vietnam and Desert Storm. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Meritorious Service Medal among many others, retiring honorably in 1991 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4.

He married Carol Henderson Bell in 1976 in Clarksville, Tennessee. They then raised their three children Susan, Blake and Kenneth while the army took them all over to Wiesbaden, Fort Rucker, and finally to Fort Hood. Shortly after arriving to Fort Hood, they welcomed their newest addition to the family, Christina (Chrissy). They resided 33 years in Killeen.

After retiring from the Army, he gained a BA in accounting from University of Central Texas and then began his career with the Chamber of Commerce first working with Harker Heights, then Copperas Cove and finally the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce until his retirement in 2014.

Jack was an active member of First Baptist Church in Killeen singing in the choir and serving on various committees. He enjoyed his time with the noon Rotary and several city committees as well. Jack and Carol enjoyed traveling to Canada, Hawaii, Danube River Cruise, Israel, Greece and many European countries while stationed in Germany. Travels in Europe were mostly in a VW pea green camper.

Jack was a “Mr. Fix It” guy who enjoyed tinkering around and could fix most anything. After retirement Jack and Carol moved for a short time to Granbury before settling in College Station near two of their children, Blake and Chrissy. Jack was a member of First Baptist Bryan. Jack is preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Bessie Wade and sister, Donna Soar.

Jack is survived by his wife, Carol, of 49 years and their four children: Susan Buckley (Brad) of Salado, Texas and three children Emily Buckley Dykes (Kyle), Erin Buckley and Bo Buckley of Houston. Blake Bell (Dawn) of Bryan, Texas and three children Lindsey, Logan, and Brady; Kenneth Wade (Laura) of Powhatan, Virginia and six children – Tiffany Sand (Justin), Brittany Denny (Gregory), Tyler Wade (Gracie), Mary Kathryn Pierson(Aaron), Chad Melton( Chelsea), and William Melton. Christina Wade Rich (Nathan) of College Station, Texas and three children Wesley, Nolan and Lauren, Two sisters: Sue Balderson of Farnham, Virginia and Kezia Bomar(Ricky) of Ennis, Texas He is also survived by fourteen great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family thanks the loving care staff at the William R Courtney VA State Home in Temple and Embrace Hospice of Temple.

Visitation will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen. A celebration of life will follow at 11:00 AM at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home.

Memorials may be sent to the charity of your choice.