Wade Jones Obituary

Wade Calvin Jones, beloved father, grandfather, and friend, peacefully passed away surrounded by family at the age of 93.

Born in Bellevue, Pennsylvania, Wade was the youngest of five children of Chester Daniel Jones Sr. and Jane Orr Green. He grew up alongside siblings Chester Daniel Jones Jr., Curtis Edison Jones, Gladys Audrey Jones (Phillips), and Janet Lois Jones (McNall).

A gifted athlete, Wade played varsity football, basketball, and JV baseball in high school, earning a basketball scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. He was a starter on the Pitt freshman team and quickly became known for his warmth and ability to connect with everyone he met. At Pitt, Wade proudly joined Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity where he balanced academics, athletics, and service. He taught Sunday School and was honored as both Pi Kappa Alpha Man of the Year and Athlete of the Year. In 1954, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, having simultaneously completed four years in the United States Air Force ROTC program. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. upon graduation.

Wade’s dream of flying for the Air Force was tragically cut short by a serious accident when driving to flight school. While driving and resting his arm out the open window, his vehicle was sideswiped by a truck in the opposite lane, which severed his left elbow, which caused him to lose most of the use of his left arm. During his seven-month recovery at Portsmouth Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Hospital, however, he discovered a silver lining... his deepening love for his girlfriend, Eleanor Hall Smith. They married on April 20, 1957, beginning a lifelong partnership filled with devotion and love.

His strong work ethic was shaped by the many jobs he held as a youth such as, auto detailing, newspaper boy, painter, landscaper, clay tennis court maintainer, and heavy construction laborer. That foundation led to a successful career in sales. Wade worked for his father at Jones Equipment Company, Miller Printing Company, and Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses, moving the family between Pittsburgh and Chagrin Falls, OH. At Miller Printing, he was recognized as Salesman of the Year three times and eventually became Product Manager, where he instructed a number of salesmen of America’s last printing press manufacturer. At Mitsubishi, he spearheaded expansion into Ohio, western Pennsylvania, eastern Michigan, West Virginia, and western New York.

After retiring in 1996, Wade and Eleanor moved to an area now known as Centennial, Colorado to help care for their grandchildren. They became active members of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, where Wade served faithfully as an usher, greeter, leader of the St. Andrew Kinship group, supervisor for Family Homestead and multiyear member of the Helping Hands group. But what he was most well-known for was looking for unfamiliar faces and extending his hand for a ready and firm handshake to countless people where he shared his deep love for St. Andrew hoping to make a good impression on the visitors enticing them to return.

But, above all, Wade cherished his family. With a heart to match his 6’4" stature, he always had plenty of love, encouragement, and wisdom to offer his children and grandchildren.

Wade is survived by his sister, Janet Lois McNall; his sons, Neil (Denise) Jones and Donald Jones (Cecila Artiles); and his grandchildren, Shauna (Blain) Jones, Kevin (Heather) Jones, Bradley Jones, Allison Jones, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service in celebration of Wade’s wonderful life will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Wade may be made to the St. Andrew United Methodist Church