Living in western Wyoming at Cokeville, Dave Wade has around him the wildlife subject matter he loves to paint. He and his wife and daughter moved to the area in the late 1990s to escape the increasing crowds of Salt Lake City and to be closer to the western landscape that is home to the wildlife he paints.

Wade grew up in Salt Lake City and from childhood wanted to be an artist. He enrolled in the University of Utah but stayed only one year and then enrolled at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles where he studied advertising illustration. Shortly after he was invited to exhibit at the Annual Safari Club International Wildlife Art Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, and there he met several wildlife artists whom he admired--Robert Abbett, Bob Kuhn, and Ken Carlson.

From that time, his fine art career evolved. He usually works on five or six paintings at a time, and works continually to improve his skills.

Source: Art of the West, February 2002, "The Right Attitude," by Nancy Ellis

David Charles Wade "Dave" was born in Salt Lake City Utah February 26, 1952. He passed October 5, 2019 escaping a long battle with Alzheimer's.

He leaves behind the love of his life, Julie, 5 children and 5 grandchildren. He instilled in them a love of nature, music, creativity and humor. He was well known in the wildlife art community winning many awards for his talents.

His paintings are owned by people across the US. Dave had a passion for painting, teaching, photography, hiking, game playing, reciting poetry and any adventure. He will be missed by many, those who loved his art and his big, vibrant personality.

We will miss his warm, winning smile, his stories, his enthusiastic clapping and his energetic personality. He loved noticing the small, beautiful things of this world. He lived a genuine life always choosing the unpaved trail.

Taken in part from the Obituary for David Charles Wade from Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah.

Submitted by: Jeff Wilcox