Gerald Keat Wade

 

Gerald Keat Wade Obituary

Gerald Keat Wade was born as the only child to Clifton Albertis “Keat” Wade and Evelyn Irene Tolbert Wade, September 8, 1932, in Webb City, Oklahoma.  

Due to the Great Depression, jobs were hard to find but Keat’s dad secured employment with Gulf Oil Company which became lifetime employment.  Thus, Keat grew up in the “Oil Patch” which had a lifelong influence on his life.  The continual transfers and moving for an only child caused him to find it difficult to “put down roots” anywhere, making “home” the place of current abode.

With Keat’s dad’s continual work transfers, Keat attended many elementary schools including several one or two room rural schools and as many as three schools in three different states in one year. Keat was able to attend grades 8 through 12 in Chase, Kansas. The family enjoyed fishing and camping in Wisconsin during the summers. Keat graduated from Chase Rural High School in 1950.

Keat attended Fort Hayes State University in Hayes, Kansas, from 1950 to1955. Keat was married to Henrietta “Rita” Seaman April 18,1953, while both were students. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Speech and English with a Teaching Certificate in 1955. The day he got home from graduation, the Draft Notice was in the mail.

Keat was drafted into the Army in 1955 and served until 1957. Keat was a reporter/writer for a post newspaper at Fort Wolters Army Base, Mineral Wells, Texas. Because of his writing, the newspaper was awarded the best paper in its class for all armed services.

In 1957, Keat began his teaching career in a junior high school in Downs, Kansas. In 1958-59, he taught nineteen 8th graders. They were a special group. Many became successful and have kept in touch.

In 1959, Keat took responsibility for farming his mother-in-law’s farm. In early spring of 1960, Keat had an encounter with God while plowing the field and he felt “Called of God”. He resigned teaching and became a Lay Pastor at Hackney EUB Methodist Church in Hackney, Kansas, from 1960 through 1962. He moved to teaching in Junior/Senior High School while obtaining his Masters of Education from Fort Hayes State University in 1963. The family moved to Garden City, Kansas, where Keat taught Junior High School. He later became Dean of Students at Colby Community College.

Keat was Dean of Students and Professor at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, a Christian College in Bartlesville, Oklahoma for 22 years.

Keat and his wife, Rita, both were career teachers and retired together in 1994.  Their two children, Brad and Lora are also both career educators.

In the Fall of 1996, Keat’s wife, Rita, passed away after 43 years of marriage.

In 1997 he moved to Downs, Kansas, to be near family and set up a furniture refinishing and upholstery shop.

In 1999, Keat met Judy Garlow Everett on a blind date arranged by her brother, Dr Jim Garlow. Keat began writing his poetry for Judy, one of which captured her heart. When they married on March 27, 1999, Keat moved to San Diego. Keat became involved with Judy in prayer ministry and continued writing his inspirational/prophetic poetry.

Keat and his wife Judy were leaders in the intercession-prayer movement in San Diego and the nation.  He became a great leader in prayer. Keat, who along with his wife Judy Garlow Wade founded and lead the Prayer/Intercession Ministry for Well Versed and the World Prayer Network.  

Keat Wade is the author of 793 prophetic poems in five books of poetry: Chronology of Love: Times and Season; A Gnarled Tree and Me; Dueling Kingdoms: Chronicling The Times; Beckoned: Soaring Beyond (being published).
 
Gerald Keat Wade passed away in his home in La Mesa, California, surrounded by his wife and close friends on August 27, 2023.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, wife Rita of 43 years, and a grandson.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years Judy Garlow Wade; son, Bradley Keat Wade, and his daughter, Lora Beth Wade Watson (Kevin); three grandchildren; five great grandchildren; three step-children; seven step-grandchildren