Our Southern Gentleman, surrounded by his family with his beloved wife at his side, slipped peacefully through the veil on January 22, 2002. It was his 60th Wedding Anniversary.
Hope B. Wade was born on April 6, 1911 in Salem, Virginia to William Lee and Isadora Ferguson Wade. He was the nineth of twelve children. He married Edna Watson on January 22, 1942 in Anoka, Minn., later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple.
During World War II, Hope served in the Construction Battalion. For most of his life he was self-employed in finance, real estate and automobile sales.
Hope was a High Priest in the Parley's 6th Ward where he served faithfully as a home teacher and in various other capacities. He enjoyed attending the temple, but missionary work was his passion. As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the age of 18, Hope was later called as the first missionary from his home state of Virginia. He served in the Spanish American Mission. For 11 years he was a guide on Temple Square. The highlight of his missionary services was the 18 months he and Edna spent at the Oakland Temple Visitor's Center. Later they served together for two years in the Salt Lake Liberty Stake.
Uninhibited by language constraints, Hope never missed an opportunity to share the scriptures and his fervent testimony of the gospel wherever he traveled. Frequently, his southern hospitality was extended to relatives, friends and even strangers who came West to enter the Salt Lake Temple.
Hope had a zest for life and his family was of paramount importance. He relished relating many stories from his past, feelings for loved ones, and faith promoting experiences, all of which were punctuated by his original sense of humor. Each summer he and his family were drawn back to the family farm in Virginia, spending time with his siblings and aged parents.
Besides eating "fresh" fish, traveling was his favorite pastime. Having a love for world travel, Hope enjoyed seeing and sampling foreign cultures. He was always at ease with the people he met and was never a stranger to anyone.
Survived by his wife, Edna; three children: Stephen W. (Marcia), H. Bryce (Susan) and Kip O. (Peggy); 21 grandchildren; three great grandchildren and a sister, Christine Gorke.
Services will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2002 at 12 noon in the Parley's Sixth Ward Chapel, 2350 South 2100 East, where friends may call one hour prior to services and Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S Highland Dr., Salt Lake City. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
The family wishes to thank neighbors, friends and many others who cared for Hope in recent years.