Jon K. Wade

Jon K. Wade passed on to a new life on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Exactly one week earlier, Jon had celebrated his 68th birthday. 

Jon believed the saying that “We are not human beings on a spiritual journey, rather, we are spiritual beings on a human journey” and lived accordingly. Jon began his journey on October 29, 1956, the son of Dr. William L. and Mary Kathyrn Wade in Missoula, Montana. Jon was blessed with a new mother in Jeanette Wade following the passing of “Mary Kay” in 1961. It was a loving family of eight children. With one girl and seven boys, the Wade household was loud, fun, full of love, banter, and athletics.

Jon attended St. Anthony’s Grade School and graduated from Loyola-Sacred Heart High School in 1975. Jon was a leader and played varsity basketball for three years. However, his heart belonged to track; specifically, the triple jump. Loyola coaches had little experience with the triple jump at that time, so as he did with everything in life, Jon relentlessly pursued knowledge about triple jump techniques from any source he could find. Even after major knee surgery in 1974, Jon won the state championship for the triple jump in 1975, setting both state and school records. Jon’s Loyola record still stands today. 

Jon went on to graduate from the University of Montana with a degree in finance, but instead of working a desk job, he became an entrepreneur who owned several successful businesses. 

Jon met Stacey Weldele in the second grade at St. Anthony’s. The two grew up together, began dating as juniors in high school and married on August 12, 1979. Jon and Stacey made a good team. Their love for one another and family blossomed with the addition of two children, Adam and Caroline. Jon was an extraordinary and devoted father who brought the love of knowledge, learning, and self-reliance to his children.

To his children, Jon was Dad, coach, teacher, playmate . . . and as adults, best friend. 

Jon was a “renaissance man”. He delved into mathematics, philosophy, science, chemistry, religion, astronomy, astrology, music, history, language, computer science as well as practical applications of boiler operation, construction, plumbing, electrical wiring, and cultivation. As one example, armed with only a library card, Jon taught himself structural engineering and architecture. Through books, imagination, and sheer grit, Jon designed and built the family home on Arnica Road with custom woodwork throughout. He landscaped the premises with a terrace and stone walls around an English garden complete with hand-crafted lanterns, a stone bridge, fountain and babbling brook. Always pushing himself further, Jon also carved out a mountainside and single-handedly created a clay tennis court. 

As the family grew, Jon was blessed with the opportunity to add “Grandpa” to his list of monikers. Jon loved spending time playing, talking, dreaming and watching his grandchildren in school, music, dance and athletic events.

Jon and Stacey, together with their children and grandchildren celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in August.

Jon was anything but common. He had a pure soul. He was passionate, fiercely protective, funny, loyal, and always there to show his family how to be a better person. He had incredible strength of character, a wonderful sense of right and wrong, and an amazing commitment to family. He also had a knack for finding the underdogs, or those in need, and anonymously leaving gifts, cash or tools in their path in the hope that these would help to ease their troubles. Jon didn't presume to teach, but rather was always a partner in learning. Behind it all was his belief that, with a little help, we can all do a little more than we think we can.

Jon joins his father and mothers, Dr. William, Mary Kay, and Jeanette Wade, and his brother, Mike Wade, on his continuing spiritual journey.

Jon’s legacy of love and family continues through his wife, Stacey; his son, Adam Wade and wife Emma, their children, Violet and Roxie; his daughter, Caroline and husband Austin Habich, their children, Beau, Stevie Jean, and Rory Shea; his sister, Kathy [Gene] Prendergast; brother, Bill [Cheryl] Wade; brother, James [Mary] Wade; brother, Denis [Andia] Wade; brother, Bob [Kelly] Wade; and brother, Paul [Michaela] Wade along with nieces and nephews: Katie, Mike, Benjamin, Sylvia, Daniel, John, Mike, Mark, Josh, William, Luke, Ray, Kathryn, Ella, and Dominika.

There will be a celebration of Jon’s wonderful life in the spring of 2025.