Michael Patrick Wade

Michael Patrick Wade was born on May 12, 1966 in Memphis, Tennessee to George Edward Wade & Mary Eleanor Wade. He was one of five siblings who grew up in Memphis. As a child, Michael was very adventurous and loved the outdoors. He was described as always wanting to have fun along with being a little mischievous. Mom called him “Mickel pickle.” Growing up in Parkway Village, Memphis, Tennessee, he enjoyed playing with his brothers and friends. They played hide and go seek, rode the bike trails at American Way, played Putt-Putt at Al’s Golf Haven and they enjoyed going to Evan’s Park. They went swimming at Maywood, the YMCA and the Memphis State Pool. They enjoyed climbing on the roof of their childhood home and jumping off of it. In school he played basketball and football. His brother Mark would challenge him to a one on one basketball game and would always ask Michael “just one more game?” His family played a lot of board games and ate a lot of pop tarts!

Michael had a love for piano music because he was awakened each morning with the sound of his sister Theresa playing the piano. He was exceptionally good at playing video games. In fact, he won his first Atari by reaching the top level in a competition. He was the only one in the family that could solve a Rubik’s cube and did so very quickly. He loved to dance and sing with his brother John and sister Lisa. After high school football games many friends joined him at Shakey’s Pizza Parlor. Michael and his brother John entertained everyone as the jukebox played. Everyone gathered around to watch their dance skills and back flips. Many still speak of the night they broke the chandelier!

Michael attended Harding Academy of Memphis freshman and sophomore years then left his classmates to graduate a year early from Wooddale High School in Memphis, TN in 1983. Michael attended State Technical Institute of Memphis where he took classes in Electrical Engineering. His brother, Buddy said, “Mike was too smart for college!” Being very driven and very much an Entrepreneur with his own ideas he was anxious to begin using his gifts.

When he was 20 years old he programmed the first networking database for his father’s company, Wade's of Memphis. Soon after that, the Memphis Sheriff‘s Department offered him a job to complete the same work for them, and a company based out of California, Ashton-Tate, started calling him for technical questions about how he made all of the code work together. This was believed to be before Ashton-Tate released DBase 3 or DBase 4, which allowed information between databases to act as a network. He was too young to know what he had created at the time, and up until that point, he was completely self-taught. He once told his son Mitchell, "If I could do that, imagine what someone could do with the classes offered by colleges these days."

In 1989 Michael moved to Nashville and started his own business, Wade Nursing Registry of Nashville. He was a genuine businessman with a visionary mind. One of his many talents included computer programming. Michael streamlined the Wade Nursing Service Delivery Model by developing a software program that was fully integrated from the initial employee application process down to the payroll and accounting services required to operate and manage a business. His programming capabilities were years ahead of his time and his efforts ultimately reshaped the company into an efficient, optimized powerhouse fueled by the software he personally created. Michael also started his own company called TY West. He patented a western tie, which he sold at trade shows and enjoyed success in the western clothing business. He was proud to have his ties worn by Jay Leno and various country music artists.

At a young age he loved to box. He trained under Bill “Superfoot” Wallace at Memphis State. Since Michael loved the outdoors he joined the United States Forestry Service at age 19 where he enjoyed working and living off the land while planting trees. Michael also loved to cycle. He cycled with friends and even taught indoor cycling classes. He once cycled over 200 miles from Nashville to the Memphis Pyramid with a group of friends. Michael had a passion for cooking, grilling and gardening. He loved canning his own vegetables and loved sharing with friends and family. Michael loved cabins in the mountains, snow skiing, spending time at the beach and loved being on a ranch or in the country.

He was a church member of Tusculum Church of Christ in Nashville, TN. He enjoyed being camp activities leader for and loved working with the kids at church. He was a dedicated father, proudly involved with each of his children’s activities ranging from soccer, football, hockey, lacrosse and competitive dance. He also enjoyed volunteering to coach girls softball for his twin daughters. He traveled to travel to Louisiana with his church to help with Hurricane Katrina relief and clean up.

Michael loved a wide range of music including: Garth Brooks, Luther Vandross, Classical Piano, Pop/Dance Music and Classic Rock. Michael had a passion for country music. Some of his favorite movies included, The Notebook, The Proposal, Forrest Gump, Silver Linings Playbook, The Hunger Games series, Jerry Maguire, James Bond movies and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Michael especially enjoyed watching old Western movies.

Michael married Melanie Kirk Wade. He proposed on Granite Rock in Central Park, NY and they were married in Napa Valley, CA on February 3, 2012. They resided in Prosper, Texas together. Michael has 5 children, 2 stepchildren and 3 granddaughters and is expecting a 4th granddaughter this month.

Michael loved family day on Sunday afternoons. He loved to grill and cook his homegrown vegetables. He cherished Sunday afternoon family time and meal gatherings during football season where everyone watched football and took naps.

Michael was described as having a “Big Presence” when entering a room with his big “Cheshire Cat Grin.” He was a very well-mannered Southern Gentleman who carried himself with class. He was a selfless Christian man with a passion to help others.

On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, Michael Patrick Wade, Sr. was called Home. He was greeted in Heaven by Elder brother Mark Joseph Wade.

His life and legacy will continue to be remembered and celebrated by his Father ~ George E. Wade Jr. and Mother Mary E. Wade of Somerville, TN; his Wife ~ Melanie Kirk Wade of Prosper, TX; Sister ~ Mary Teresa Wade and husband Ken Jordan of Oakland, TN; Brother ~ George “Buddy” Wade and wife Donna Wade of Oakland, TN; Sister ~ Mary Elizabeth “Lisa” Wade of Somerville, TN; Sister-in-law ~ Sandy Wade McConnell of Germantown, TN; Brother ~ John L. Wade and wife Tonya Wade; His Children: Michael P. Wade, Jr. and wife Susan Wade of Nashville, TN; Matthew Wade of Tampa, FL; Mitchell Wade of Knoxville, TN; Meagan Wade of Nashville, TN; MaKenzi Wade of Tempe, AZ; Step Children: Madison Holliman & Blake Holliman both of Dallas, TX; his Grandaughters: Vivian Wade,Whitley Wade & Everly McEvoy all of Nashville, TN; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends.