Roll Call Tribute

Published in (Harlingen) Valley Morning Star on Jan. 11, 2016

John Riley Wade(1925 - 2016)
John Riley Wade
Weslaco -- John Riley Wade (JR), age 90, died peacefully at Aurora House in Weslaco surrounded by his family and friends after a short battle with cancer.
JR was born November 15, 1925 in La Villa, Texas to James Wade and Ethel Riley Wade. He was an All-American athlete and valedictorian of his class at Edcouch High. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1945 where he lettered in track and was a yell leader. He was an Aggie for life and attended his last A&M football game at age 89 where his many offspring celebrated at a post-game tailgate party. He married Mary Caldeira in 1950, and they were fortunate to enjoy 65 years together. JR farmed for many years, and later became a teacher at Mercedes Jr. High where he taught over 2,000 students, twice being named Teacher of the Year. Additionally, he was named Person of the Year by Mercedes Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show, as well as President of the Mercedes School Board. He converted to Catholicism just before marriage and found great comfort in his faith. For many years, he taught religion class, was a lector, and a Eucharistic minister, delivering communion to those who could not attend Mass. After retirement from teaching, JR and Mary did mission work for over 20 years in Mexico where he was known as Don Juanito. They served 65 families, sharing faith, providing clothes, food, housing and scholarships for education. JR and Mary were lifelong partners, whether it was raising their eight children, teaching together at Mercedes Jr. High or doing mission work in Mexico.
He was preceded in death by his son John Riley Wade, Jr. and leaves behind his beloved wife Mary; children Jimmy (Sue), Marian (Chuck), Jerry (Jessie), Margaret (Ike), Julie (François), Joe (Pauline) and Jay (Cindy); 22 grand children; and 11 great grandchildren.
Visitation begins at 4 pm on Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mercedes, followed by rosary and Exequia at 7:00 pm.
Funeral Mass will take place at Sacred Heart Church at 10 am on Tuesday.
Interment will follow at Ebony Grove Cemetery under the care of Garcia & Trevino Funeral Home of Mercedes, TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the building fund of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mercedes or to the Aurora House in Weslaco.
At heart, Daddy was a teacher and a lover of people who lived his life in service and found joy in listening to others.
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. James 1:19


Funeral Home
Garcia & Trevino Funeral Home - MERCEDES
439 S VERMONT Mercedes, TX 78570
(956) 565-2261