Milton Clyde "Milt" Wade

Milton Clyde "Milt" Wade, of Lenexa, Kansas passed peacefully with family at his side on August 8, 2026. He was 88 years old.

Milt was born February 7, 1938, in Herington, Kansas, to Clyde and Millie (Nantz) Wade. His father Clyde was a railroad worker and so began Milt’s lifelong love of all things railroads and small town Kansas.

A Kansas boy through and through, Milt attended the University of Kansas where he played on the freshmen basketball team. He continued his education at Emporia State University, where he earned his Master's degree and met Pat Halbleib.

The two were married and went on to build a life together that took them all over Kansas. They lived in Emporia, Cherryvale and Liberal before settling in Leavenworth to raise their children, Jeff and Kelly. They later moved to Lenexa where they lived their life close to family for more than 40 years.

A hardworking man, Milt spent much of his career in education, doing it all with remarkable energy. Over the years he worked as a teacher, school counselor, and principal – starting out as a school counselor at Patton Junior High in Leavenworth and rising to principal by the time he retired. All the while, he moonlighted as a football coach and Drivers' Ed teacher. 

Schools weren’t the only place where Milt taught and gave his time. He taught English at the women’s prison in Leavenworth for a few years and coached their softball team, too. In between all that, Milt earned his real estate license and spent many of his “retired” years as an investor and real estate broker. He did all of this in service of his family. Through decades of hard work, Milt provided his family with a good and full life.

But it wasn’t always work with Milt. He was a fantastic dancer with a fondness for old country western music. Many Sunday afternoons were spent with his daughter Kelly at Knuckleheads taking in live music. He was a beloved face and friend at the old Quivira Sports & Health and the Lenexa Rec Center where he spent most mornings, never letting a coffee pot or conversation go unfinished. Friends from all walks of his life recall him as being sweet, funny and never one for conflict – always more interested in camaraderie and a good laugh.

Traveling was one of Milt and Pat’s great passions. Together they traveled the globe and visited all 50 states. While traveling, Milt always made it a point to wear a Jayhawk hat, ready for a fellow traveler to spot it and give him a "Rock Chalk!" For all the places Milt traveled, his favorite place was his home state. Milt loved Kansas the way some people love an old friend. He visited all 105 counties and there was hardly a small town he hadn't been to, or at the very least couldn't tell you something about. He loved old maps, small town history and in his later years, he especially treasured taking small town road trips with his son Jeff, stopping to visit old high school gymnasiums along the way.

He loved playing cards, especially bridge, watching his children and grandchildren play sports, and of course, cheering on the Kansas Jayhawks. And there was no match for Milt’s sweet tooth. Cookies, cakes, jelly beans, candy corn, circus peanuts and more. He loved it all and firmly believed there was no better accompaniment to a meal or snack than an ice cold Coca Cola.

As a grandfather, Milt knew how to get the laughs. His grandchildren will especially miss the Christmas tradition of placing discarded bows atop his bald head – a joke that started when they were small and never stopped being funny, even well into their thirties. They sure will miss their sweet grandpa.

Milt is survived by his wife, Pat Wade; his children, Jeffrey Wade (Robin) of Lenexa, KS and Kelly Wade of Fairway, KS; his grandchildren, Whitney Horn (Danny), Jordan Quiett (Kyle), and Mitchell Wade; his great-grandchildren, Jackson and Jamie Horn; and his sister, Wilna Bammes.

Whether you knew him or not, if you’re reading this, have a Coke in his honor and send him a “Rock Chalk!” up in the sky.