Charles H. "Pappy" Wade, Jr., Col., U.S.A.F. (Ret.), 82, of California, MD died January 6, 2009 at his residence.

Born January 15, 1926 in Germantown, OH, he was the son of the late Charles H. Wade, Sr. and Ruth Gilbert Wade. Col.

Charles "Pappy" Wade enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1943 and served at various installations until the end of World War II. In 1949, he was commissioned as an officer after being named as a distinguished military graduate from the first class of the Air Force ROTC. Following flight training, he served eight years in the Strategic Air Command as a Radar Navigator on B-36's and B-52's.

He received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Cincinnati. After receiving his Master of Business Administration Degree from Michigan State University in 1960, he served as a Staff Officer in the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing in Japan, the Air Force Logistics Command, the USAF Southern Command in Panama and Headquarters United States Air Force.

Colonel Wade served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Comptroller for the 7th Air Force in Vietnam in 1971 and 1972. He retired from Headquarters USAF in 1977 after 33 years of service. Colonel Wade was a Master Navigator with 5600 flying hours. His decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster.

From 1978 to 1982 he was a Senior Management Analyst for the Federal National Mortgage Corporation. From 1983 to 1986 he owned and operated a peach and apple orchard and operated a boat and car storage facility.

In 1987 he became Director of Finance for St. Mary's County and was in charge of Finance, Accounting, Accounting, Procurement, Administration, Personnel and MIS. His major accomplishments included the implementation of a comprehensive procurement manual and a personnel manual and system. He was responsible for the financing of the expansion of the St. Mary's Nursing Center, the expansion of the St. Mary's Hospital, the financing of the State Office Building in St. Mary's County, the financing of the new Community College in St. Mary's County as well as the financing of an annual budget of approximately $10 to $15 million annual capital budget. He retired in 1995.

He is survived by his sons, David Wade of Willsville, PA, Christopher Wade of Richmond, VA and three step-sons, Raymond Hermann of Reno, NV, Michael Hermann of Merced, CA, and Paul Hermann of Riverside, CA, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Cozette Suzanne Kemerer Wade and a sister, Betty Hanshell.

The family will receive friends for Pappy Wade's Life Celebration on Friday, January 9, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, MD. A Funeral Service will be conducted on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 12 Noon in the funeral home chapel. The Reverend Michael Jones, pastor of the Patuxent Presbyterian Church will conduct the service. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home.