James Wade Hannon, aged 70, departed this life on the 28th of June, 2024, in the city of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Born on December 31st, 1953 to James Leonard Hannon and Virginia Lee Burt he was familiarly known to his loved ones as Wade.
Wade was a lifelong socialist and fierce fighter of working people. He was a member of a number of Unions including: Industrial Workers of the World, SEIU, AFT-CIO, and Teamsters. As a political organizer, outspoken champion of women's rights, and supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community, Wade felt deeply about the causes dear to his heart and worked tirelessly to fight against tyranny.
Wade grew up in Edna, KS where he developed a love of music, reading, and rabble rousing. He attended Labette County Community College, Pittsburgh State, and finally received his EdD in counselor education from University of Arkansas in 1984. He then moved to Kansas City, Missouri and had his first child, Carmen. Wade's career took him many places and he eventually landed in Fargo, ND where he was a professor and had his second child, Adam. Wade retired from North Dakota State University in 2010 and lived in Chicago briefly before settling in Tahlequah, OK and started the last chapters of his life-as an artist and a grandfather. He was a lifelong artist and celebrated freedom from selling his labor by creating art. His first granddaughter Rowan was born in 2020, shortly followed by a second granddaughter Juniper with whom he shares a birthday. The light in Wades eyes shined the brightest when he was talking about, to, or playing with his granddaughters. His love for them was immeasurable.
Wade is preceded in death by his father James Leonard and mother Virginia. Wade left behind his daughter, Carmen, Carmen's daughters Rowan and Juniper, his son Adam, and his brother Justin. He also has left countless nieces, nephews, and friends that loved him just as he lived--larger than life.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, July 10th, 2024 at Fairview Cemetery in Talala, Oklahoma. A reception to celebrate his life will follow at American Legion Post 337 located at 112 North Pine Street, Talala, Oklahoma 74080.
Honorary pallbearers for Wade include Justin Lee Hannon, Danny Ray Mitchell, Allen Perkins, Paige Hamilton, Amit Bhati, Ann Miller, Mort Sarabakhsh, Jerry Sutton, Matthew Anderson, Thelma Forrest and Blake Jacobson.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://zoom.us/j/94427814512?pwd=WFPF8crKY908KnaHV9GOEgnplFlUtw.1__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!JNdAwZPpINDMSSwtQxcGI9PNVUZRu1XIHjtBEhW4ByzD8kjQLzCtX7B2qym8z_iKs7IhUPRHTjx4L6ZAxf-OyMg$ [zoom[.]us]
Meeting ID: 944 2781 4512
Passcode: 222605
