David Paul Wade 1935 – 2024

David Paul Wade (Dave Wade), 88, a man of various trades, a master of many, joined our heavenly father on Saturday, May 18, 2024, peacefully, surrounded by family and his pets.

David Paul, known to most as “Dave”, was born on August 9, 1935, in Knox City, Texas, to Charlie Anderson Wade and Ida F. (May) Wade. Dave was the fourth of seven children.

Dave moved from Texas in 1939 (Dust Bowl Era) with his family and settled in Claunch, New Mexico (East Socorro County). His family, like many other farm families with economic hardships, were pushed to move west towards California for work with dreams of greener pastures and plans to join up with other families there. Dave’s family never made it! According to Dave, not making it to California was definitely a blessing . Through his life, Dave had the opportunity to travel to many places but the “Land Of Enchantment” was always his paradise through thick and thin times.

Dave graduated from Corona High School in Corona, New Mexico, in 1953 and soon became a certified Barber (later a secondary trade) and worked several jobs.

On February 21, 1958, in Silver City, New Mexico, Dave married his love, Edna Mae Dunn. Three weeks into their “Honeymoon”, Dave was drafted into the U.S. Army (two years), eventually being stationed overseas in Germany. Mae joined him in Germany soon after. Dave and Mae remained in Germany for one year and upon returning to the States in 1960 settled in Socorro County, New Mexico. Dave and Mae started their first farm here in the Middle Rio Grande Valley where he lived the remainder of his life (Mae passed in May 2009) and raised his two children David Lyn Wade and Cyndi Mae Wade. Dave loved his family and friends and enjoyed working the land. He plowed deep roots into his community and cultivated great care and compassion for the people.

Dave is survived by his 2 children, David Lyn Wade (Coyo) and Cyndi Mae Wade (Rod), all of the family farm. He is also survived by his three grandsons, Nago Lucero (Katherine) and two son’s Alexis and Little Nago of Socorro, David Lucero (Jamie) and two daughters Yasmin and Jaylene of Rio Rancho and Don Lee Wade (Kiki) of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is also survived by his sister, Marjorie A. Cozzen (Jerry-deceased), of Claunch, N.M. and a brother, Calvin T. (Rusty) Wade (Sue), of ShowLow, AZ. He is much missed by his numerous nieces and nephews, in-laws and lifelong friends who he loved and are too numerous to list.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie Anderson Wade and Ida F. (May) Wade, two sisters Pauline Ruth Smart (Bill) and Betty F. Maples (Edwin) and two brothers Jestus C. Wade (Ruth) and Luther T. Wade (JoAnn).

Dave, a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, brother, son, nephew, friend, barber, serviceman, mason, rancher, board trustee, grand marshall, mentor, the list goes on. A man of his word with concern for his community. A man who never met a stranger, was compassionate and loved life and all of God’s creatures, great and small.

Dave especially loved to sing, joke and bring a smile to all in his presence. In addition, he loved being a “Farmer”, a caretaker of God’s paradise, and serving his community as a board trustee for the Socorro Electric Cooperative for more than 32 years.

Pallbearers will be Calvin T. (Rusty) Wade, Tim Muncy, Don Lee Wade, Sky Connolly, David T. Lucero, Joseph Herrera, Nago L. Lucero.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Friends and Family.

Dave will be missed by all. A large limb has definitely fallen from our family tree! Please join us for funeral services to celebrate Dave’s life on June 1, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the City of Socorro Convention Center on Highway 60 with his burial following at the Socorro Cemetery.

A reception, with music, will follow back at the City of Socorro Convention Center for all friends and family to enjoy.

Arrangements are entrusted to Daniel’s Funeral Home in Socorro, NM. See their website for additional funeral information.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to your favorite charity in Dave’s memory.