James Robert "Shake" Wade died Friday, October 25, 2013 at the Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Center in Hanson, KY after three months of failing health.

A long time resident of Madisonville (Grapevine area), Shake was born in Scottsville, KY., on October 31, 1923 to the late Lloyd Wade and Alma Lantz Wade. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 64 1/2 years, Christine Berneta Ashby Wade in 2012, one brother Elwood Wade and a sister, Betty Wade Millard.

He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews as well as great-great nieces and great-great nephews. Shakes parents died when he was four years old and he lived at the Louisville Baptist Orphanage until the age of fifteen. He then moved to Madisonville and was a graduate of Madisonville High School in 1941 where he was a standout quarterback for the Maroons football team.

Shake was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Madisonville, a World War II veteran serving in the United States Army in the Pacific Theater and was a meter reader/serviceman as well as stockroom manager for Western Kentucky Gas Company for nearly 25 years.

Shake was an avid tennis player well into his early 80's, a staunch supporter of KY Wildcat basketball, and he loved to travel with his wife to visit his nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to J.D. Jones, Buddy Bourland, Roger Hewlett, Tommy Brown and Buddy Brooks for their car rides, doctor visits and trips to Walmart, but especially for their Wednesday and Saturday morning breakfasts for so many years.

Also many thanks to the nursing, kitchen, and administrative staff who looked after Shake so well during his stay at the Veterans Center, you are angels and your professionalism shows along with your caring hearts. The family would also be remiss if we not mention the visits to VA Center by Mary Ann Brooks who provided a listening ear, meals at her home, and wise counsel.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Rev. Dale Carden officiating. Military Honors will conducted graveside by the Hopkins County Honor Guard. Burial to follow in Eastlawn Cemetery in Hanson.

Visitation will be from noon until the funeral hour Wednesday at Harris Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Barry Vaughn, Buddy Brooks, Mel Wyatt, Peyton Adams and David Brooks. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Brown, Roger Hewlett and J.D. Jones.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Madisonville.