Randell "Randy" Leon Wade

Randell Leon Wade was born on June 16, 1947, in Waurika to LV and Letha (Miller) Wade. He

won his battle with melanoma when he passed from this life on August 19, 2024, at the age of

77 at his home in Ringling with family by his side. Services will be held at 10:00 am on

Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ Gospel Tabernacle with Bro. Ronnie

Carroll officiating. Interment will follow at Ringling Memorial Cemetery. Services are entrusted

to Alexander-Gray Funeral Home at Ringling.

Randy spent much of his early years in the areas south of Ringling, attending elementary school

at Orr before graduating from Ringling High School in 1966. In his late teenage years, he

worked in road construction with his father, helping build many of the highway overpasses on I-

35. He later enlisted in the US Air Force, serving as a security policeman while stationed in

Okinawa, Japan, until his honorable discharge in October 1970.

Randy was first introduced to the love of his life, Janet Martin, by his younger brother; first

impressions were that he was “an old man” and she was “a snobby teenager.” Fortunately

second impressions were more positive when they were later reacquainted, and the couple

married on July 20, 1971, in Wilson. Over their fifty-three years of marriage, Randy and Jan

became each other’s best friend and were blessed with three children, Braxton, Ashley, and

Tara.

The couple first settled in Byers, TX, where Randy worked at Langford Ranch with his uncle

Otto and cousin Corky. The family relocated back to Ringling while he worked temporarily in the

pipeline industry before beginning his career in the oilfield with Daube. He later worked for L.E.

Jones Production as a lease operator for over 30 years until his retirement at age 72.

Throughout his life, Randy raised cattle, horses, and other livestock. He took pride in his

chickens, winning many awards over the years. His favorite pastime overall, however, was

spending time with his family. In his younger years, he coached several of his sons’ baseball

teams; in later years, he became known as one of the best sports grandpas around due to his

willingness to follow his grandkids to all their activities. His utmost favorite moments were those

spent with all his children, grands, and great-grands at home during family dinners and

celebrations, the most recent being his baptism along with two of his granddaughters by one of

his dearest friends, Bro. Ronnie Carroll.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents as well as his paternal grandparents, Charles and

Alice Wade; maternal grandparents, Pete and Nancy Miller; father-in-law Raymond Martin;

mother-in-law Yvonne Till; brother- and sister-in-law Gerald and Betty Pitt; and brother-in-law

Gary Griffin.

Randy is survived by his loving wife, Jan, of the home; sons, Braxton Wade and Ashley Wade,

and daughter, Tara Lewis and Darryn, all of Ringling; brother, Burlin Wade and Lee of

Oklahoma City; sisters, Deborah Wright and Dan of Loco, and Marilyn Anderson and Michael of

Duncan; sister-in-law Vonda Way of Somerville, AL; brother-in-law Kenneth Martin and Shirlon

of Euless, TX; grandchildren, Taylor Burns and Landon, Phillip Wade and Katie, Lexi Moss and

Blake, DJ Lewis, Kaedon Wade, Zhané Wade, Harley Buzidragis, Emma and Layton Lewis;

seven great-grandchildren with one on the way; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other

family, and countless friends whom were forever impacted by his integrity and generosity.

Pallbearers will be Phillip Wade, Kaedon Wade, DJ Lewis, Larry Wade, Brandon Pitt, and Wade

Griffin.

Honorary bearers are Mark Allen, Pete Hannah, Chad Thompson, Trent Cunningham,

Darryn Lewis, Layton Lewis, Mickey Dewbre, Monte Slawson, Ty Carver, and Landon Burns.

Visitation will be held Friday evening, from 6-8 P.M. at the Alexander Gray Funeral Home Chapel in Ringling.

Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.alexandergrayfh.com.