OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University mourns the recent death of Gen. Jim Wade, trustee emeritus to the university, OCU Athletics Hall of Famer and one of the most prominent benefactors of the athletic department.
James L. Wade, who was 94, competed for Oklahoma City as a baseball, basketball and football player before attaining the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force. Memorial services for Wade will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at Southpark Baptist Church, 2900 SW 119th Street in Oklahoma City.
The Wade family requests those desiring to commemorate Wade's memory make a gift in his honor to the Jim Wade Endowment for Athletics. To make a gift, go to okcu.edu/championsclub or call Chris Maxon, OCU associate athletic director for development, at (405) 208-5431.
The Stars hold the annual Jim Wade Awards to celebrate OCU's athletic accomplishments and recognize those Stars who best represent OCU and reflect Wade's spirit as the student-athletes of the year. The 15th annual Jim Wade Awards lauded the 2018-19 OCU student-athletes of the year, Cassidy Jasperson, Dominique Kopecky and Quinton Walbergh, in April.
"Gen. Wade's generosity touched the lives of many OCU Stars," Oklahoma City University President Martha Burger said. "I am grateful for his decades of service and leadership and for the legacy he leaves behind. He will be greatly missed, but I know we will continue to feel his impact on our community for many years to come."
Wade's contributions helped complete additions and renovations to OCU's baseball facility, Jim Wade Stadium, as well as at Abe Lemons Arena inside the Freede Center and Brian Harvey Field, the Stars' soccer facility. He established the Jim Wade Endowment and an endowed scholarship fund to provide financial support for the Stars.
"Oklahoma City University Athletics extends its heartfelt condolences to the Wade family during this time," said Jim Abbott, Oklahoma City athletic director. "Gen. Jim Wade has always been the role model that we encourage our student-athletes to strive for. A man who served his family, his community and his country with distinction, class and integrity. While we mourn his loss, we're grateful for the example that he set and the life that he lived."
Wade said in the announcement for the creation of the Wade Endowment, "Oklahoma City University athletics means so much to me. It's been a great part of my life."
Wade entered the OCU Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the 1979 induction class.
"I don't have the words to express how much we appreciate him," OCU baseball coach Denney Crabaugh said of Wade's contributions to the baseball program. "We had a dream and a vision, and he made that vision possible. He sincerely felt he had been blessed by his opportunities at OCU, and that's why he was so willing to give back."
Wade became decorated for service in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He flew 55 missions in Korea. He last piloted a Boeing 727 at age 78.
He earned his bachelor of arts from the university in 1949. The Los Angeles Rams selected Wade in the 27th round of the 1948 NFL Draft.
Wade also played professionally for the New York Bulldogs.
Wade, originally from Talihina, Okla., had been active in the banking and insurance industries. He had been known as an active member of his church and established the Jim Wade Family Scholarship Trust to help first-year college students from his church.
"I have never in my life met a more magnificent, heroic and amazing man than the General," said Keith Lytle, OCU assistant baseball coach. "His accomplishments in life seem storybook. The world lost a real hero, and I lost a true friend. Thank you General for being such a great role model to so many."
