Elijah Francis Wade

     E.F. Wade lived a long, varied life; a good life. He was born in Leslie, MO and attended school in Union, MO. After graduation he joined  the Air Force where he served 41/2 years, especially enjoying his extended deployment to Germany pre Berlin Wall. Following  an honorable discharge, E.F. returned to MO where he met his future wife, JoAnn Fuller, a nursing student. After they married in 1964 he attended Central MO State College and graduated in 1967. They have two sons, Steven and Brian. 

     E.F worked management positions for a variety of truck lines before settling on the trucking division of Emerson Electric in St. Louis from which he retired after 20 years. By then their sons were grown and E.F. and JoAnn hit the road living and traveling in an RV for the next 10 years. They fell in love with desert landscapes and, after several years as volunteers for Bosque del Apache NWR, they settled in San Antonio, NM where E.F. continued volunteering and making positive impacts including 10+ years to the local fire department and Veterans programs. E.F. was always interested in people, the community and service. He befriended people of all ages who were drawn to his friendliness and story telling skills

     E.F is preceded in death by mother Maryellen Haycraft Wade and father Roy L. Wade. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, his sons, Steven and Brian, granddaughter Sydney and grandson Porter, his sisters, Wanda Hults, Carmen Wade and Betty Crenshaw and his brothers Jim and Bill Wade as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. His many friends in his native Missouri and New Mexico will long remember his smile, his genuine interest in everyone and his favorite hat. E.F. will be interred at the NM Santa Fe National Cemetery.

     Donations in his name can be made to: the Socorro FireFighter Fund, First State Bank, 1014 Fowler Socorro, NM 87801. The family is deeply appreciative of the paramedics and EMT’s who unfailingly came to EF’s & JoAnn’s assistance.