Gary Lee Wade

Clinton, Utah
Gary Lee Wade, 74, quietly left this life on Friday, November 22, 2019 in the comfort of his
home in Clinton, UT from complications of stomach cancer. Since his diagnosis, Gary sought
every reasonable treatment available and did his best to live fully. He was tenderly tucked into
bed Thursday night where he peacefully went to sleep for the last time.
  Gary was born October 23, 1945 in Ogden, UT, son of Alvin Francis Wade and Melba Myrtle
Sparks (Mayfield) Wade. He was the youngest of 6 siblings.
  A resident of Kaysville, he attended Davis High School and enlisted in the US Army at Fort
Douglas in 1962 at age 17. While stationed in Germany, Gary met and married Elizabeth Bauer.
They had one son together and were later divorced. He was granted an honorable discharge in
1968, the same year he married Gloria Johnstun in Ogden, UT. They had five children together
and were divorced in 1989. With a boisterous personality, wild sense of humor, and good looks,
he always seemed to have a pretty lady on one or each arm.
  Gary retired from Hill Air Force Base where he was certified in corrosion control. He painted
missiles and other military equipment for many years. His completion of Automotive
Maintenance training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri during his first year of service provided
skills used throughout the entirety of his adult life. He'll be fondly remembered as an expert in
custom car fabrication, including a seemingly endless list of classic car restoration projects and
pristine paint jobs. He could listen to a car and diagnose the issue before lifting the hood.
Taking pride in his work, he enjoyed having a passenger to share the test drive after each major
step, even if the doors weren't attached yet. He loved going to a car show and seeing a car he'd
worked on there. Car clubs and classic car shows were food for his soul, along with his morning
coffee, canyon views in Autumn and Spring, visiting with family and friends and a canine
companion by his side while he worked on a car, gypsied the interstates or watered the lawn.
  Gary's artistic talents also included sketching/drawing, beautifully detailed watercolor and acrylic
paintings, woodwork, home interior and exterior projects, photography and the ability to play
music on his keyboard by ear. The sounds of his deep voice singing while playing old country
music classics on the keyboard could make an audience, big or small, feel like they'd enjoyed a
performance at the Grand Ole Opry. He loved all things antique and had an antique shop many
years ago. He inherited a passion for gardening and passed that passion on to his own children.
He grew up in a home engulfed in natures beauty and always appreciated a breathtaking
landscape, whether in his own yard or the view from his motorhome camped on a mountain top.
  Gary is survived by 5 children: Jeffrey Wade, Cindy Chambers, Holly (Lou) Nelson-Skillman,
Jolene (Travis) Daines, Julie (Jayson) Beagley; 4 siblings: Margee Mayfield (Bambrough)
Thompson, Kathryn "Kathy" Mayfield (Olsen) Larkins, William "Bill" Mayfield and Robert "Bob"Mayfield; 15 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and a large extended family.   He was preceded in death by both parents,his eldest son, William Lee (Wade) Coombs and one sister, Betty Louise Mayfield (Neville) Buckmaster.
  Gary was comforted by the gentle love of his sweet dog, Jessie. She didn't leave his side and is
grieving alongside the family. Sincere thanks to those who gave compassionate care and
medical support when he needed it.
  A public celebration of Gary's life and many accomplishments will be held at American Legion
Post #134, located at 345 Depot St, Clearfield, UT, on Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 1-4 pm
where military honors will be presented at 3:30 pm to show gratitude for his years of service.