Wade Lee Thompson

Wade Lee Thompson of Claremore, OK passed away October 17, 2012 surrounded by his family at Claremore Hillcrest Regional Hospital after a courageous battle with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Wade was born on July 7, 1924 in Colcord, OK to Robert Lee and Cora Earp Thompson. In 1946, Wade married the love of his life, Edra Ford in Anderson, MO. Wade and Edra celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on October 12th.
He is survived by their children; Cleve Thompson of Ketchum, Curtis and Karen Thompson of Tulsa, Karen and Doug Story of O’Fallon, IL and Judy Kay and Larry Penner of Wagoner. Also survived by their nine grandchildren; Trent (Nikki) Thompson of Monet, MO, Sean (Susan) Thompson of Kansas City, MO, Michelle (Dan) Kohl of Lincoln, NE, Kyle Thompson of Coweta, Ryan (Jamie) Thompson of Rogers, AR, Sommer (Brandon) Schwin of Nixa, MO, Kristal Story of O’Fallon, IL, Todd Penner of Denver, CO, and Joel Penner of Stillwater and 15 great-grandchildren.
Wade is also survived by his brother Blake (Jewel) Thompson of Jenks, and his sisters, Sue Herberger of Jenks and Wilma (Jim) Cargill of Inola. Wade was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wayne, his sisters Jewel and Aline, his daughter-in-law Sherrie and granddaughter Silver. His brother-in-law John Herberger also passed away on October 17, 2012.
Wade was a member of the ‘greatest generation’ having served 3 ½ years in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He was a member of an air sea rescue crew on an amphibious Catalina PBY OA10 airplane.
He graduated from Northeastern Oklahoma State University in 1951. He finished college in 2 years and 9 months with a double major in Industrial Arts and Elementary Education.
Wade spent 30 years as an educator of Oklahoma’s youth and as a coach of boy’s and girls’ basketball teams, boys’ volleyball and baseball. Wade left a lasting imprint of character, hard work, and sportsmanship on the lives he touched.
Visitation will be at the Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Home from 3:00 to 6:00 pm on Sunday, October 21, 2012. Funeral service will be at the First United Methodist Church of Claremore at 10:30 am on Monday, October 22, 2012 with burial following at Woodlawn Cemetery.