My Hero

Roland's father passed away Friday morning. We knew it was coming and we had time to prepare and talk with him. We feel sad of course, but we also feel happy. He was a great man who lived a good life and died peacefully and well loved by all who knew him. I blogged about him here, here, here, and here.

For the 27 years I've loved Wade he has consistantly spoken of his desire to join his dear sweet wife Betty who died of cancer 28 years ago, on February 18th. Wade passed away on February 18th. Love is powerful.

Roland and I wrote this obituary:

Charles Wade Smith, age 84, of Colorado Springs passed peacefully on Feb 18, 2011. He died on the same date, 28 years later, as his beloved wife Betty’s passing, leaving us all with the feeling that they were giving us a wink and a smile.

Wade was a lover and a fighter and recognized by his peers as a true hero. He left high school at seventeen years of age and fought in the Pacific Theater. He ultimately served as an officer in the US Army for twenty-two years.  He was a two war combat veteran and was decorated many times for valor and meritorious service, was wounded three separate times and was awarded numerous other medals and qualification badges. In spite of the brutal experience of war, Wade was a lover and committed his life to serving others in and out of his church. He would tell everyone he loved them, even people he barely met.

And that love was returned ten fold. All who knew Wade loved Wade.

Charles Wade Smith was born June 12, 1926 in S.L.C. Utah to Roland M. and Alene B. Smith, one of 4 children of the greatest generation who all served their country nobly including a brother that was an Army Air Corp navigator who served as a P.O.W. in Germany, a sister who served stateside as a nurse, and a younger brother who was a Navy carrier pilot who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country in Vietnam.  

He demonstrated to his children and people around him that hard work and quiet determination were the keys to success by returning to college to finish his degree as an adult. He graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO with a bachelor of science in Business.

He is survived by three sons, Kent B (Mary) of Waldorf, Maryland; Michael B (Chris) of Colorado Springs; and Roland B (Robin) of Colorado Springs. He has two cherished daughters Christine Bickmore of Colorado Springs and Dorene (Chad) Calvert of Denver. He is adored by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Wade is survived by his sister Doris Gustavson of Grand Junction, Colorado.

Funeral services will be held Feb 24, 2011 at 10:00 AM, Meadowland Stake Center, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 4955 Meadowland Blvd. Public viewing will be held Feb 23, 2011 at the Swan-Law Funeral Home in Colorado Springs. He will be buried by his dear wife, Betty, in Fort Logan National Cemetery.