Wade Mears:
CLASS OF 1977
Bayside High SchoolClass of 1977
Virginia beach, VA
Kempsville Jr. High SchoolClass of 1975
Virginia beach, VA
Somerset High SchoolClass of 1974
Princess anne, MD
Greenwood Middle SchoolClass of 1971
Princess anne, MD
Deep Creek Elementary SchoolClass of 1969
Baltimore, MD
Wade's Story
Life
After I left high school, I worked with AAA air conditioning/heating company in Virginia Beach until 1978. My brother Daniel was killed in a motorcycle crash in November 1978 and I entered the US Air Force in January 1979 to get away from the bad memories. I started basic training in San Antonio, Texas then went to Blytheville, Arkansas were I worked from 1979-81. Dealing with the death of my brother and being alone was extremely hard on me. I got into a wrong group of people and started drinking heavily and other things I'm not proud of. My conversation was 90% four letter words and I had a bad attitude and a chip on my shoulder just waiting for someone to try and knock it off. I was going downhill fast and at the point of suicide at times from depression. But in June 1980, I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and was gloriously saved and changed. Within two weeks, God took away my bad language, depression, bad attitude, drinking, and the other bad things I can't talk about. He gave me joy and happiness I had never experienced before. From Arkansas, I went to Guam. There I found my first real church to learn what God wanted me to do. It was Harvest Baptist Church and I learned so much from the Pastor there. After 2 1/2 years, I went to Great Falls, Montana. It was there that I met my future wife Sandy. She was 16 when we met and 17 when we were married. We prayed and asked for God's wisdom before we were married and He worked everything out. Even when others said our marriage would never last, it has...25 years in December 2008! Well, Sandy and I then went to Germany. We were there 4 years and visited the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Austria, and Luxemburg. We had an awesome time and had a great Church there, too! Even though we tried, we were not able to have kids. We spent several years with infertility doctors with no results. Our next assignment was Wichita Falls, TX. We were sent to an off-base doctor who found out why Sandy couldn't get pregnant. He fixed the problem and the next month, Sandy was pregnant with Katherine, our oldest. One year later after her birth, Daniel was born. God also blessed us with a great church where we learned alot about how to raise kids. Next we were off to Japan for 4 years. Again God blessed and we found a Baptist Church right outside the front gates. Sandy gave birth to twin girls while we were there, Melissa and Rebecca. Then on to Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. We found out just after arriving that Sandy was pregnant with Sarah. I spent the last 4 years of my military career there and retired in June 2001. Sandy gave birth to our last child, Caroline, in April 2001. After retiring, I worked as a armed security officer at a hospital in Kansas City, MO. After doing that very interesting job for 3 years, I was hired as a civilian Human Resource Supervisor with the US Marine Corps Reserve in Kansas City, MO. I have a awesome job and enjoy working with Marines. But best of all, I love serving my Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary Baptist Church in Knob Noster, Missouri. I've made alot of mistakes over the years but He has always been with me. I'd hate to think where I would be today without him. Probably dead or in jail. Jesus wants to do the same for you as He did for me. Ask Him to forgive your sins, turn from them and ask God to help you serve Him...He will! Don't try to clean up your act first. He wants you as you are and He will clean you up after you ask Him to save you. Do it today! Pray and ask Jesus into your heart. He will forgive you, save you, write your name in the Book of Life, and take you to Heaven when it's time to leave this world. If you've asked Jesus to save you, contact me and I will send you a free Bible study that will show you what to do next. Thanks for listening and God bless!
School
I didn't have a girlfriend through my high school years. I would have to say my biggest crush was Terri James. And of course, I didn't have a crush on just any girl, she was the class president. I guess I had classy tastes back then! During my senior year, she was having problems with her boyfriend. I tried to befriend her while she was going through these problems. When it looked like they had broke up, I waited awhile and one day asked her out. To my dismay, she told me she had made up with him and they were back together. Of course, that burst my bubble. Oh well, life's tough sometimes. There was another girl I liked, her name was Theresa Coggins. The only problem was she liked my arch enemy Joe Bray. I tried to get her away from him but my charm (Ha Ha) failed to win out. Joe treated her so badly it made me sad I couldn't change her mind. I did have a date with a beautiful girl named Francheska Goode. I was totally shocked when she agreed to go out with me. We went to a drive in movie (remember those?). Well, I was so nervous that all I could talk about was my problems talking to girls (stupid huh?). I'm sure I bored her to tears. I didn't get a kiss or a second date. Well, that was strike 3 and I was out! No other girl friend possibilities. Oh well, God had a girl waiting for me in Montana six years into my future that I didn't even know about! I guess my favorite teacher was Mr John Savage. He taught history and would write funny quotes from history on his chalkboard every morning. The whole class would rush into the class to read his "Quote of the Day." I learned alot from his class and still like history today because of him. When I went back to visit my high school in 2006, I heard he had passed away. I'll miss him. If I could do it all over again, I would, but I would also change a few things. I was a class clown and sometimes, my joking around hurt someone and I didn't even know it. My one specific regret was Susan Grupp. I was reading the notes that students wrote in my yearbook and Susan's caught my eyes. She stated she liked me even though insulted her all the time. I never meant to hurt anyone with my joking around. Susan, if you ever see this, I'm sorry for my inconsiderate behavior toward you. I just hope you forgave me back in 1977. I guess my craziest school memory was when I was in Mr Kevin Rogers' PE/Health class. I remember one day while he was teaching physical health, we were reading out of the health book and I was so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open. I decided to pull one over on my teacher so I put my pencil in the center of the book, rested my head on the eraser, and fell asleep. Well, soon after, Mr Rogers started lecturing and noticed I was the only student not looking at him. He proceeded to walk up to my desk and watch me. This information came from another student, I was out! Everyone started snickering and watched as Mr Rogers knocked the pencil and book out from under me. Of course you know what happened then...BANG! My head hit the desk with the full weight of my body right behind it. It almost knocked me unconscious but I learned a valuable lesson that day, if your going to sleep in Mr Roger's class, it better be under a bleacher! Another funny thing happened in my Vo-Tech class. My class project just prior to graduating was to put together a window air conditioner from parts of other broken window air conditioners. Well, the window unit I was putting together ran on 220 volts of power. I had it finished and was about to tighten the wires on the compressor. I made sure the unit was unplugged and turned around to get a tool. Unawares to me, my partner had plugged the unit back in to check a fan motor. I then proceeded to put my tool on the compressor terminal. And as you can imagine, I lit up like a Christmas Tree! I experienced a new definition of the statement "Oh what a Feeling". Lesson learned...when dealing with electricity, never assume the wire is dead, or you could be!
College
My college experience has been kinda weird. While in the US Air Force, they have what's called the Community College of the Air Force. Besides taking college courses towards a degree, they gave you college credit for the military training you have completed. Well, when I left Bayside, I swore I would never go to school again! However, the education counselors at the bases I was assigned during my career would not leave me alone. They kept telling me, "Come on in and take a DANTES or CLEP test, it's free and you could get college credit." I told myself I'm too stupid to pass these tests so I always said no. While I was in Germany, one counselor wouldn't take no for an answer. After being bugged continually for 3 weeks straight, I finally went in and took a DANTES test. Since my job was Military Police, I took a test on Criminal Justice. I passed and was given 3 semester hours. It about floored me. Maybe I wasn't as stupid as I thought. I then took a Law Enforcement test and passed it too. I started taking tests on a regular basis and ended up getting semester credit hours for English, Science, Math, History, sociology, and even some electives. With my military credit hours, I had 61 credit hours towards the needed 64 hours for an associates degree and I hadn't taken a single college coarse. Of course, it can'...Expand for more
t be that easy and it wasn't. I had been suffering from back problems and was retrained into a different job while in Germany. I was then informed that I had to complete my degree by a certain date or I would loose my police credits because I was no longer a policeman. I didn't have enough time to complete an actual college coarse so I tried one more DANTES test...psychology. If I passed it, I would have my degree. If not, all my police credits would drop off and I would have to start a new degree program in administration (my new job). I took the test, got the results............. I missed passing by 2 points! Ouch :( I went from having 61 credit hours down to 30. Of course, the memory of the promise I made at Bayside surfaced so I said good by to college. You would think that would be it. Not me, oh no. While I was station in Japan, there was a possibility that I may be discharged from the military because of my back problems. I started thinking...if I'm booted out, a degree could help me get a better job. So I reported to the education office and started taking more DANTES tests in the admin realm. Again, I passed several tests and by the time I had reached my retirement date in 2001, I had 58 credit hours towards an associates degree! One problem though, when I retired, I could no longer use the Community College of the Air Force to get a degree. It's only for active duty members. So I have a grand total of 61+58 credit hours = NO DEGREE! But at least I had fun getting there. And one other thing...I'm not stupid. It's nice to know things like that especially as your getting older!
Workplace
My job with the US Marine Corps has been very interesting. While on active duty with the US Air Force, you learn how to talk using acronyms. There is an acronym for everything, PME (professional military education) SKT (Skilled knowledge Test), SAC (Strategic Air Command, of course we called this one Simulated Air Circus), and so on. Well, after 22 years of using Air Force acronyms, they become second nature to you. Then I got a job as a civilian supervisor with the US Marine Corps and guess what? They use acronyms too! Only one problem, they're not the same ones! My third day on the job we had a meeting and the whole conversation was acronyms. I sat there totally dumbfounded. I could not understand a single thing they said. Well, this did not work for me at all. I went to the guy who is in charge of the section's military publications and I asked him,"the Air Force has a regulation that defines all its acronyms, does the Marine Corps have one?" He told me, "it's called the IRAM". I told him,"I need one NOW!" Once I got a copy, I listened for those acronyms that were used the most and I would look them up, highlight them, and review my list every morning. It took me about two weeks, but I finally was able to speak MARINE! And, I could actually understand what was being said around me and carry on a half way intelligent conversation. I loved my time in the Air Force but I have enjoyed my time in the Marine Corps even more. As a civilian Marine, I'm treated with more respect than I ever received as a Master Sergeant in the Air Force. Even though the unit I'm assigned to has been directed to move to New Orleans due to the Base Alignment and Closure Act signed by the President, I will do my best here until the unit leaves. Then I'll have to find another job...I don't care to go to New Orleans. Of course, it will depend on God's leading too. We'll see. Well, with the gas prices hitting the roof and my kids eating me out of house and home, I had to get a second job. I had to make a hard choice...do I work at Wal Mart or Pizza Hut for 5-6 days a week or do I go back to my previous job at Research Medical Center as a Security Officer and work for 2 days and make more money...you figure it out. Well, I went back to Research. Started on 14 Jul and work the 3rd shift (10:30 pm - 7:00 am). I'm actually working at a sister hospital that has been closed for 3 years with exception of the emergency room. The officer who has been there 18 years says nothing ever happens at the hospital now. That was the case until I got there. The first night a person came in and got sick all over the nursing staff. The second night a man came in shot in his rear end. The following weekend, the first day was quiet but the second we had a guy come in who had been shot in the head. The officer I work with told me I needed to leave because he couldn't handle the excitement. Well, I was right, things keep getting more interesting as the time progresses. I was transferred back to Research Medical Center that is in the middle of the roughest part of Kansas City. And as you can guess, there is no such thing as quiet. Almost every night I deal with drunks, drug seekers, gun shot victims, and their i-rate family members or visitors. I get the opportunity of being cursed at, spit at, swung at, all during the same shift. Well, I praise God for His protection because I have had a few close calls. I'm just glad I don't have to do this for a living full time! I'm hoping in a year or two I will be able to stop working this 2nd career. We'll see what happens.
Update 2008 - Well I started my 5th year with the Marines and I'm looking forward to my future with them. This is probably the best job I have ever had. I tell officers (Colonel's) what they must do and they do it. My signature has the power of the Commanding General and I have a supervisor who lets me do my job without interference. I'm hoping to give 20 years to the Marines, if God allows.
Update 2010 - Well, I did it. Moved to New Orleans with my job in June 2010. Big difference from Kansas City to here, especially the temperature. I was able to put Rebecca, Melissa, Sarah, and Caroline in an outstanding private school and though it has been hard for them, they did exceptionally well their first year. On a sad point, my beloved Sandy passed away from pnemonia on 23 Nov 2010. She had several medical issues but none of them were life threatening. We would have been married 27 years in December. I miss her terribly and so do our kids. Her medical problems caused her allot of pain so the most blessed thing is she is no longer suffering. She also knew Christ as her savior so I know she is in Heaven with our Lord and I will see her again one day. Until then, I must keep on keeping on, for my children and my Lord Jesus Christ.
Update 2011 - Would you believe it? I'm going back to school to try and get a degree. My current job, though I love it, has no promotion potential. When you work for the government, if you have a degree you automatically quaify for just about all their jobs, even if you don't have any experience. I believe the degree will open up some new job opportunities. I will be attending Ashford University out of Iowa on-line. With all my courses in the Air Force and my cellege tests I passed, I was credited with 65 semester hours towards a bachelor's degree which is 120 hours. I've already completed my first class and I actually got an "A". My classes are 5 weeks long and they are back to back. If I keep going and don't stop, I'll be able to graduate 18 Mar 2013. The best part is between the tuition assistance program at the school and at my work, I will only have to pay $110 graduation fee and that's it. My goal is to fly of drive up to Iowa and walk across the stage to get my diploma. Haven't done anything like this since my high school graduation ceremony at Bayside.
UPDATE 2012: My Oldest daughter Katherine got married to Emilio Gomez in March 2012. She still works at Subway and is very happy being a wife. Rebecca quit school and moved out on her own. Daniel moved back to Knob Noster Missouri and is happy and doing good. Melissa, Sarah, and Carrie are still living with me at home. They are doing great and still serving our Lord. My hero passed away 31 May. My dad lived to be 94. He was such a part of my life and I miss him so badly. I hope I have been half the dad to my kids that he was to me.
UPDATE 2013: I received my Bachelor's Degree in Social and Criminal Justice in Feb 2013. Well what do ya know, I'm a college graduate now! I even graduated Summa Cum Laude. Ain't that a kick in the head! Melissa has a boyfriend who works with the Air Force in Missouri. They met when she went back home to visit friends in 2012. Missouri was our home for 13 years before having to move to New Orleans. I will be meeting him for the first time on 24 Jun. The way it is looking, they may be getting married in the near future. We shall see.
UPDATES 2014: Melissa was married to Brandon Palmer on 1 March 2014. They are very happy together and are back in Missouri. I only have two more children living with me now, Sarah and Caroline. Sarah just turned 17 and Carrie is 13. In February, I met a beautiful, godly woman named Vicky on ChristianMingle.com. We fell in love even before we met in person. We were married 19 April. I am the happiest man alive. Who but God could bring two godly women into one man's life. I am truely blessed!
As usual, the saga continues.....
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