John Wade Jr.

John William Wade, Jr., 83, of Chester, VA, passed away on Monday, November 7, 2022. Born July 3, 1939 in Nelson County, he was the son of the late John William Wade Sr. and Louise Phillips Wade of Afton. John was also predeceased by his sister, Calista Duncan.

John was a graduate of Nelson County High School and matriculated to the University of Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. While at UVA, John engaged in English Literature studies, which led to his first career as a high school English and Advanced Compositions teacher at Nelson County High School. He taught for five years in both Nelson County and at Fort Defiance High School in Staunton before transitioning from education to criminal justice, a professional endeavor that spanned 32 years. Initially serving as a Probation and Parole Officer with the Department of Corrections, John advanced to the position of Chief of Probation and Parole for District 13 in Lynchburg and was eventually promoted to the position of Parole Examiner and ultimately Director of the Parole Process for the Commonwealth of Virginia. While serving as Director of the Parole Process, John helped develop the first Community Diversion Incentive program in the state and was a member of its Community Resources Board. He also served as chairperson of task forces for parole violation sanctions and skills training for parole officers. Engagement in numerous grant proposals, development of Parole Violation Hearing procedures, and the creation of the Virginia Parole Board Procedures Manual displayed John’s formidable writing skills. His numerous professional memberships included the Association of Paroling Authorities and the Virginia Association of Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers.

John was an avid fox hunter, who bred and raised champion Walker fox hounds. As a member of the fox hunting community, John participated in various sporting organizations and developed many personal associations with others who shared his passion. A prolific reader, John absorbed information about Thomas Jefferson, the settling of the west, and critical analyses of human nature, especially those written by George Will and Charles Krauthammer. Throughout his life, John faced extraordinary challenges due to childhood illness but persevered both personally, and professionally.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Alderson Wade, sister Linda Wade D’Ambola (Phil), stepdaughter Jennifer Williams, grandchildren Nate and Caroline Williams, nephews Justin D’Ambola, Dean Duncan (Nina), William Duncan (Sandy), and niece Cheryl Brummell (Dave), as well as several great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is being held on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 2:00pm with visitation one hour prior at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834.  In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to your local SPCA or the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital http://www.stjude.org/