September 5, 1935 - November 9, 2023
Quentin Dean “QD” “Jerry” Wade of Eaton, CO ran his last race and crossed the finish line a winner on November 9, 2023.
Born September 5, 1935 In Scottsbluff, NE the 6th child of 10 to Everett Wade and Lola Miller Wade. His parents farmed a small acreage near Minatare, NE. When he was about 5, his family moved to Torrington, WY area and later to Newcastle, WY where Everett & Lola owned and managed a small grocery store. In his late teens he followed older brother Merle to Colorado where he did a little auctioneering. From there he and Merle both enlisted in the Navy where he served at the Naval Air Facility in El Centro, CA. While in California, he participated in many rodeos in that area in Bareback Bronc Riding.
In 1957 he met Wilma Wahl of Akron and they married in September, 1958. They later divorced but remained friends until her death in 2013. To that union, three children were born, Jay, Kelly, and Delaney.
He became interested in training race horses and that became his lifelong passion, racing Quarter Horses and Thorougbreds all over the western United States with great success and amassing many friends along the way. In the off season, he also participated in chariot racing to keep his horses tuned up and in shape.
In 1989, QD met his life partner Sally Knight and on St. Patrick’s Day, 2000 they officially tied the knot. St. Patrick’s Day was always his favorite holiday where he would cook corned beef and cabbage.
QD was a true cowboy in every sense. The get bucked off, knocked down, get back up kind of cowboy. He loved rodeo, especially Cheyenne Frontier Days. And he loved to throw a good Kentucky Derby Party where everyone enjoyed his smoked brisket. He also had a wicked sense of humor and loved a good joke. Legend tells it that he rode a mule into a bar in Fountain, CO.
He and Sally started raising race babies in 1990 with great success. He was so excited when they were finally of age to race. Many of these he trained himself.
QD was preceded in death by father, mother, half-brother Darrell Robert, infant brother Ernest, infant sister Beverly, brother Merle, brother Pat, sister Bonnie, brother Everett Jr “Jack”, sister Shirley, and brother Jim.
Survived by wife Sally, brother Larry (Ellen), children Jay (Marsha), Kelly Martin (Scott), Delaney Anderson (Thomas), granddaughter Nicole Wade, grandsons Ryan Martin (Bobbi), Jared Martin (Ashleigh), and Dellyn & Dakota Wade, 5 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and numerous friends.
QD expressed he be cremated and his ashes scattered in Wyoming, the place he always called home. Celebration of life will be at a later date.
