Arbeth Junior Wade, “A.J.” to family and friends, 92, of Moorefield, W.Va., passed away at his residence Saturday evening on June 1, 2024.
Born on June 11, 1931, in Hagans, Monongalia County, W.Va., an area often referred to as “Big Indian Cree,” he was a son of the late Arbeth Roy Wade and Thelma Elizabeth Eddy Wade.
Brothers, Ken Wade and Gary L. Wade also preceded him in death.
A.J. graduated from Morgantown High School in 1950. In 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie “Marge” Ann Layton, also an alumnus of Morgantown High School, having graduated in 1952.
A.J. enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1951, serving 16 months active duty and 10 years in the Reserves. A.J.’s battalion from Camp Pendleton was present in the Nevada Desert when one of the many tests of the Atomic Bomb was implemented. At this time in his career in 1952, this particular test was called Operation Tumbler-Snapper. The exercise was designed to test the effects of an atomic bomb on ground troops.
In 1953, A.J. began his career as a West Virginia State Trooper for 15 years, serving the public in Charles Town, Parsons, Romney and Moorefield, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community he served with honor. In 1968, A.J. was looking to be transferred from Moorefield, and he and Marge chose to stay, him leaving the State Police. A.J. then purchased the Western Auto store from George “Mutt” Thomas, which he operated until 1974. He then became a licensed real estate broker and a private investigator.
Between 1975 and 2009, A.J. held public offices in Hardy County as Magistrate, County and Circuit Clerk (prior to the separation of these offices) and as County Commissioner. A.J. is the only person in West Virginia to have held all of these public offices. In 2015, he filed to run for a position on the Moorefield Town Council, of which he served for six months. A truly remarkable individual, A.J. Wade’s commitment to his community and country leaves an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
His memory will continue to be cherished by his daughter, Holly (Skip) Landes, of Moorefield, W.Va.; a son, Stephen (Ann) Wade, of Olympia, Wash.; a sister, Karen Takash, of Hagans, W.Va.; two grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Fraley Funeral Home Chapel, 107 Washington St., Moorefield, WV, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, with Pastor Dan Sterns as officiant.
Memorials in his honor may be directed to the Hardy County Public Library, 102 N. Main Street, Moorefield, WV 26836, or the Hardy County Health & Wellness Center, 411 Spring Ave. #102, Moorefield, WV 26836.
Expressions of condolences, shared memories and cherished photographs honoring his remarkable journey and the impact he made in the lives of those he touched may be left on A.J.’s Tribute Wall:
www.fraleyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are under the direction of the Fraley Funeral Home.
