Lawrence Leon Wade Jr.

Lawrence Leon Wade, Jr. 72, of El Paso, Texas passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025. Leon was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He graduated from Baumholder American High School in Baumholder Germany in 1971, then went on to the University of Texas at El Paso earning a bachelor’s degree in English education. He also earned a master’s degree in Hospital Administration from Webster University. Leon had a passion for sports and personally excelled in football and on the track. He was a highly gifted athlete who while in high school, broke a national record in Track & Field. In football, Leon was a stellar running back. His passion and talent carried on during his participation in sports during his college years. Leon continued to be involved in sports as the years went on when he began his own Junior Olympics Track Club that was nationally known as “Northeast Shooting Stars.” The track club began to excel and grew so large that the name eventually had to be changed to “Texas shooting Stars.” He played an essential coaching, leadership, and guidance role for thousands of children and teenagers advancing through the sport with structure and discipline. Many of the children and teenagers he once coached went on to take part in their own positions of becoming coaches or professional and semi-professional athletes. Leon also was a standout Track & Field coach and English teacher at Parkland High School. He always had the best interest of his students at heart and always encouraged them to pursue higher education. Leon was widely known for his coaching skills and was very well-respected in the track & field and cross-country community. His coaching earned him recognition outside of El Paso, Texas as well. In addition to being a gifted coach, Leon was also a gifted mentor in the classroom. He made a lasting impact on the high school students of Parkland in his English class. In addition to sports and education, Leon also had a passion for music and was a well-known DJ in the community. His music collection included over 1,500 CD’s and over 6,000 vinyl albums. Leon was an avid chess player he personally constructed several custom chess boards over the years. His latest boards were constructed by hand in 2024. He also loved off roading and listening to live jazz bands. He enjoyed sketching, such as the masterpiece drawing of himself on display here. Aside from the impact he had on the community, Leon left priceless memories with his children as he was very active in their lives and made sure they each had athletic scholarships of their own. He will be remembered as a wonderful father, brother, uncle, friend, grandfather and an amazing mentor. Lawrence has left a legacy that will remain with all those whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edna L. Nunally and Lawrence Leon Wade Sr. Leon is survived by his sons, Lawrence Leon Wade III and Kaiser Irving Wade; daughter, Brandi Eileen Wade; grandchildren, Devari Wade, Ishani Ceasar, Skye Wade, Kaiser Wade, Jr., Elijah Wade, Malique Wade, and Kailene Wade. Lawrence is also survived by his brother, Roland Wade and sister, Katie Stromp and Niece Mahogany Caesar. Visitation will be Friday, January 24, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a Chapel Service at 12 p.m. at Evergreen East Funeral Home, 12400 Montana Ave, 79938.