Festus John Wade, III of Memphis, TN August 13, 1928-December 13, 2023 Festus John Wade, III died after a brief illness at the age of 95. He was born August 13, 1928, to Catherine Crunden Wade and Festus John Wade, Junior in Saint Louis, Missouri. John attended elementary schools in St. Louis and then went to Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts for high school. He graduated from Yale University in 1949 with a B.S. It was at Yale that he developed his skills as a rower and subsequently won the United States paired rowing championship. He also represented the U.S. in the 1948 Olympics in England. Following college, John entered the Air Force where he served as a pilot in the Korean War and flew 100 combat missions. Returning to St. Louis after the war, he worked at Mallinckrodt Chemical Company before moving to Jackson, Mississippi in 1968 to join the Mississippi Research and Development Center. He left there in 1980 to teach in the business school of Jackson State University, having earned his PhD in business management from Mississippi State University at age 55. John was active as a business consultant until moving to Trezevant Manor retirement home in Memphis in 2009. At Trezevant, he immersed himself in activities and made many good friends. He served on the Resident Council and the Finance Committee and organized Happy Hour for three years. John was an avid reader and learner and always enjoyed a good discussion. He was active in many small groups at his church, Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, as well as serving on the vestry and teaching Sunday school. Of his many associations, he was most fond of a group of men who called themselves the philosophy club. They had many spirited discussions on a variety of topics, aided by a glass or two of wine. In his later days, John’s children, grand, and great grands were a source of great joy to him. He recently celebrated his 95th birthday in Utah with all in attendance. John is survived by his beloved wife, Dorsey Nicholson Wade, Memphis, Tennessee and his children from their blended marriage, John Brooks Gordon Wade (Lori), Thomas Burgis Wade (Kathy), Catherine Wade McNeel (Pleas), Susan Gear Deason (David), and Curry Bannister (Tom). He is preceded in death by his first wife, Bette Lu Gordon Wade, who died at an early age. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth Wade Isham, of Middlebury, Vermont and a multitude of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on January 20th, 2024, at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Jackson, MS at 11:00AM with visitation at 9:30AM, followed by a luncheon in the parish hall. A memorial service will be held at Trezevant Manor, St. Edward Chapel in Memphis, TN on January 23rd, 2024, at 1:00PM with a reception following in the music room. Arrangements are being handled by Canale Funeral Directors of Memphis, TN. Memorials may be made to St. Andrew’s Cathedral, P.O. Box 1366, Jackon, MS 39215, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Lower School Library, 370 Old Agency Rd, Ridgeland, MS 39157, Trezevant Foundation, 177 N Highland, Memphis, TN 38111.
