Ltc Wade William Ladue

LTC Wade William LaDue of Independence, Missouri, and Holmes Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2021, in Independence, Missouri.

He graduated from high school in San Pedro, CA, where he was an outstanding athlete in football and especially baseball. A graduate of University of Missouri Class of 1957, he lettered in baseball and made many life long friends in Sigma Chi. Commissioned in the Army, he worked 3 years for the Kansas City Athletics before embarking on his 24-year Army career as a pilot and in public relations. He loved flying, especially the twin-engine Caribou he transported to Vietnam I 1968 for the second of his two tours.

Assigned around the world, he specialized in public affairs before retiring . Wade returned to Kansas City as the Director of Public Relations and Publications for the National Headquarters of the VFW. He spent his final working years as owner of Destinations Unlimited Travel in Blue Springs.

Wade was a member of Sigma Chi, VFW, Army Otter Caribou Assn, Key Royale Golf Club, MOAA, First United Methodist Church of Blue Springs, and Roser Memorial Church , Anna Maria, FL . He loved flying, traveling, playing golf, music, caring for his dog, Bisbee and his family and friends.

Surviving are wife of 64 years Gloria, children Paul (Katrina) of Gladstone and Ginny Gordanier (Kyle) of Peculiar. Grandchildren Cody(Tirzah) and Ella Raney, Nick and Elise LaDue, Kimberly(Zac) Parks, Robert Gordanier ; great grandchildren Izabella and Bo Raney.

Special thank you to staff at Villages at Jackson Creek Memory Care and Lumicare Hospice. A debt of gratitude and love to Manuela Espinosa, caregiver and friend.

In lieu of flowers, donations to First United Methodist Church, 301 SW Woods Chapel Rd, Blue Springs, MO. 64015 and Roser Memorial Church,512 Pine, Anna Maria, FL. 34216 are suggested.

Services Wednesday, July 28 at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Blue Springs.