Lester "J.R." Wade

In Loving Memory of J.R: The Life of the Party Who Spiced Up Every Gathering Lester "J.R." Wade, the man whose laughter could shake the windows and whose jokes were hotter than a jalapeño popper, bid farewell to this world on February 16, 2024. He leaves behind a legacy as zesty as his signature hot slaw and as rich as the sausage gravy on his biscuits. J.R. was more than just a social butterfly; he was a social supernova, lighting up every room he entered with his infectious energy and quick wit. He could make friends faster than a pizza delivery, and his charm was so potent that even inanimate objects seemed to come alive in his presence - though whether they were laughing with him or at him, we'll never know. But J.R.'s talents were not limited to making people laugh; he was also a culinary maestro with a palate as adventurous as his sense of humor. He approached every meal with the enthusiasm of a gourmet chef and the appetite of a hungry grizzly bear. His love for food was so legendary that he even dabbled in entrepreneurship, cruising around town in his mobile hotdog stand, hoping to make a quick buck - or at sell a bun. And let us not forget J.R.'s unwavering loyalty to Trump, which were as steadfast as his love for hot sauce. He was a proud Republican through and through, and even in his final days, he was determined to cast his vote for his favorite candidate - no matter what it took. But more than anything else, J.R. cherished his family with a passion that rivaled his love for barbecue ribs. He adored his wife Dee, his three daughters, Chris, Kim, and Stacey. You could fine him cheering on his grandkids or great grandkids at baseball/softball games, football games or golf matches, with a fervor that could only come from the heart. As we bid farewell to J.R., let us not mourn the loss of a man who brought so much joy to the world, but instead celebrate the laughter and love he leaves behind. May he rest in peace, knowing that his legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched with his humor, his kindness, and his insatiable appetite for life. He was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Inez Wade, daughter Leslie Diana, sister, Louise Wade Moore. He is survived by his wife Dee Wade, daughters Chris Monroe (Mike), Kim Garringer (Gil), Stacey Teate (Michael). Grandchildren: Brooke Ward (Rusty), Cameron Madison (Brandie), Brandon Smith (Ashley), Harleigh Smith (Jarred), Kensie Matthews (John), and Michael John Teate. Great grandchildren: Gannon, Aubree, Brently, Oaklyn, Rhett, and Wade, three sisters Pat Wickersheim (Jerry), Dorothy Webber and Mary Smith (Vernon), sister-in-law Linda Griffin. Family will receive friends Friday, February 23, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Vineyard Church of God, 490 W. Vine Street in Bartow, FL. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 5:00 pm Friday, February 23, 2024 at Vineyard Church of God in Bartow. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com