Wade Burrow

Wade was born in Hamilton Alabama, but grew up as the middle child in Tupelo, Mississippi. His family attended The Southern Baptist church in Tupelo. He was so proud that he and his brothers grew up with Elvis Presley. They were all neighborhood friends. Until the Presley family moved to Memphis, and we all know how well that worked out for them!

Wade served four years in the Air Force, spent time in Japan. Wade had visited family in Colorado Springs and decided that's where he wanted to live. When he left the service, he made the Springs his home. He went to work for Safeway Stores, Inc. In 1961, he met a beautiful blonde name Jan and convinced her he was the 'one'! They married 05/27/1962. Jan also began working for Safeway. We were a Safeway family! Wade also sold real-estate in his 'spare' time.

Wade also enjoyed photography; he shot many, many weddings. In 1986 he opened J & W One Hour Photo Shop, where he had a studio and took thousands of family portraits.

Wade also did photography for The Blackwood Brother's Quartet, a gospel group. Jan & Wade traveled the world with the Blackwood's, dad always had plenty of cameras & film!

When Wade retired from Safeway after 38 years, Jan retired with 35 years, they traveled the country in their RV. Wade enjoyed his RV so much! He loved to take the back roads, even though some of those roads weren't meant for large vehicles! Mom just closed her eyes and prayed! They never passed up a Cracker Barrel when they traveled. He would stop even if he wasn't hungry. They had great time out there, even drove that thing to Alaska! Then cruised back to Seattle RV and all! Mom says that was the trip of a lifetime!

Eventually Jan & Wade settled in Arizona to be closer to their kids & grandkids. They landed in Casa Grande first to enjoy golfing, swimming & all the other fun things to do in the sun! Wade also took up painting, he studied with Bob Ross and painted many beautiful landscapes! Wade's favorite thing to cook was his southern style coconut cake. It’s the only thing he ever cooked, it was delish!

They moved to Avondale in 2018 to be closer to their daughters as they needed a lil’ help here & there.

We made many wonderful memories! Dad was loved by all his kids & grandkids so much! He is dearly missed.

We are all thankful he is in Heaven! His faith has always been strong & we know the Lord has a special place for him, probably in a brand new RV!

Wade is survived by his wife of 59 years, Janice Lenor (Tesmer) Burrow; daughters Lisa (Trey) Neill, Rebecca (Andy) Garcia, and Michelle (Randy) Szmanesky; sisters-in-law Louise Burrow of Tupelo, MS, Bernie Taylor and brother-in-law Gil Taylor of Goodland, KS. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Michael (Kristina) Gatewood, Steven Anthony Michael, Daniel (Cheyenne) Gatewood, Joshua Alvarado, Sabrina (Grant) Nichols, and Kristy Garcia; and 4 great-grandchildren, Landon Alvarado, Zayden Alvarado, Paisley Gatewood, and Matthew Nichols. Along with several other nieces & nephews.

Wade was preceded in death by his mother, Madie Parmer Carroll; father, William Burrow; step-father, Robert Jake Carroll; brothers, Truett Burrow and Earl Burrow; sister-in-law, Pat Burrow, mother and father-in-law, Ben and Amy Tesmer; brother and sister-in-law, Dave and Loretta Fleming; nephew Wayne Steffes; and great-granddaughter Hannah Grace Nichols

The family wishes to send a special “thank you” to George Hair at Eternity Hospice and to Fred Arroya & Anita at Premier Group Home of Avondale.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St Jude's Hospital or Disabled Veterans of America.