Wade Hamilton Barbee, Jr.

Our hearts are heavy with sorry as we announce Wade Hamilton Barbee Jr.'s sudden passing on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the age of 65. Wade passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, while doing what he enjoyed doing most: running. Wade was a loyal and protective husband, a loving father, grandfather, and brother. He lived every day with positivity, loved people from all walks of life, and was truly a blessing to everyone he met. He healed so many souls with his zest for health and wellness. His warmth, wisdom, and unwavering kindness touched the lives of all who knew him. He woke up every day and chose happiness! His cheerful and calm spirit, sense of humor, and loving SMILE will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Wade was born on October 30, 1958, to Wade Barbee Sr. and Laura Jean Harris, who preceded him in death. Wade spent his early years in his birthplace of Indianapolis, Indiana. He loved outdoor activities such as mowing the lawn and gardening with his brothers and grandfather, having paper routes, playing board games with his sisters, attending concerts, playing basketball, doo-wopping in the neighborhood with his brothers, building bicycles from recycled bike parts, and taking bike rides around Indianapolis. Once Wade graduated from Arlington High School in 1977, he joined the U.S. Army at the age of 20. He attended Basic Training in Ft. Benning GA, transferred to Oakland, CA. He was stationed at Pyeontaek in Seoul Korea and at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Burnham Military Camp in Christchurch, New Zealand. He was on the Infantry Fire Team, as a Marksman and received the Marksman (Rifle) badge and Expert (Hand Grenade) badge. While stationed at Schofield Barracks in Waipio, Hawaii he met the love of his life, Sritip (Sea-Tip) Desamang on December 15, 1979. He separated from the U.S. Army in 1980 with an honorable discharge. He and Sritip (Oud) married on December 5, 1981, and shared a beautiful journey of 42 years together. In 1982, their daughter, Sarina, was born. Around this time, he was a correctional officer in Greenwood, Indiana. After being laid off, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a Mail Carrier and Custodian until 1987. In 1988, little Wade was born and from an early age was an inspiration to his children. As little Wade would put it, he taught us everything we know including his love for fixing, riding bicycles, playing various sports and his love for food and music. Wade and Sritip would take their children everywhere to create memories of going to local parks, zoos, museums and road trips. After retirement, Wade and his family decided to relocate. After their journey to Bangkok, Thailand, Dallas, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona and Seattle, Washington. Wade and his family moved to Atlanta in the Summer of 1996 during the Summer Olympic Games, where he spent the remaining 28 years in Norcross and Duluth, Georgia. He would spend the early years taking little Wade and Sarina to and from school, extracurricular activities and even doing the same for his grandchildren. 2016 Wade participated in the PRRC (Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center) program. In 2018, he joined BlazeSports, which positively impacted his health and wellness and helped change his outlook on life through adaptive sports and recreation. He was inspired, increased his physical strength and confidence, and conquered each activity one step at a time while ultimately gaining new friends who became family. Faith, Family, Food, Fitness and Fun.... Wade's favorite pastime was reading his bible, long walks with Oud, spending time with his children and grandchildren, cooking homemade meals and sweets with family, training for Track and Field events by running with his Fitbit, Archery, Rowing with Atlanta Rowing Club, Cycling the Silver Comet Trail, Shooting Pool with Oud even if she wins every game, and listening to music. He truly lived up to one of their mottos: life does not have limitations except the ones you make. He enjoyed traveling with his wife near and far to participate in just about everything BlazeSports had to offer, such as Rock Climbing, Bowling, Swimming, Cornhole, Bocce Ball, Shuffleboard, learning to play his Guitar, Golfing, Fly Fishing through Project Healing Waters, Swimming with the Whales at the Georgia Aquarium, Boccia, Tennis, Pickleball, Shuffle Board, Horse Back Riding, Air Rifle, Sled Hockey, and family wellness weekends at Camp Twin Lakes. While most trained recreationally, Wade was competitive at heart and had a strong sense of accomplishment. He was so proud of all the awards and medals he received. Most recently, he received First place in the BlazeSports 5K 5th Annual Run Roll Row, 2nd place for the National Veterans Golden Age Games 1500-meter race in Alaska, 2nd Place in the BlazeSports Corn Hole Tournament. He was the recipient of the 2021 Triumph of the Human Spirit Awards Gala Best Athlete Award. He participated in several rowing competitions, including the San Diego Crew Classic in which they took home the Gold Medal. He had the opportunity of a lifetime with Face of America in which Wade and his teammates cycled from Leesburg, Virginia to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 115 miles. Of the twelve that participated, three reached the finish line and Wade was one of them. Wade leaves to cherish his precious memory: a loving wife of forty-two years, Sritip (Oud), and their daughter Sarina Lindsey (Tinell) of Atlanta, GA son Little Wade H. Barbee IV; grandsons Tavari and Taj; granddaughters Thailyn and Taya. He is survived by his mother in law Pranom Connolly of Round Hill, VA, brother Marcus N. Barbee (Shirley) of Bloomington, Illinois; sisters, Felicia Radford, Chandra Guynn (John) of Indianapolis, IN, Sharon Barbee, Pamela Barbee Johnson (James) of Indianapolis, IN, Pimporn Desamang, Chommanat Phokrachang (Thuy) of Bangkok, Thailand, Jennifer (Soma) Brodhun (Chip) of Round Hill, VA, Glenn (Kristine) Connolly of Albuquerque, NM, Lori (David) Gassdorf of Denver, CO; nieces and nephews, Sirikul, Randy, Brittanie, Marcus Jr.(Andrea) of Bloomington, IL, Latricia, Robert, Brandy, Sundee, Shana, Toy, Petch, Griffyn, Sequoia, Cabria, Sean, Brigit, Abrim, Rachel (Brandon) McCormick of Phoenix, AZ, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Wade was preceded in death by his parents, Wade Barbee Sr. and Laura Jean Radford; twin brother, Wayne Hampton Barbee; step-father Charles H. Radford; father in-law, Chan Desamang and George Connolly. On Saturday, June 29, 2024, we will come together to celebrate the life of Wade Hamilton Barbee Jr. The viewing will be on Saturday, June 29, 2024, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, followed by the funeral at McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson St., Newnan, GA. (Repast immediately following at Newnan First United Methodist Church Annex Hall). On Monday, July 1, 2024, we will honor him with a Grave Side Service with Military Honors at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton, GA. In honor of Wade's beautiful soul, we celebrate his finishing his race and would like to inspire everyone to finish their race. On behalf of Wade, we have created the "Run with Wade Foundation" (www.RunWithWade.org). We want to stay connected and keep Wade's legacy of love, healing, and fitness alive in the hearts of his loved ones. He was the epitome of the BlazeSports motto: "Smile, let your light shine so bright that it illuminates the path for others." His last words to his wife were, "I'm good, I got this!" He felt the love and support leading up to the completion of his race as the words, "Let's go Wade!" were cheered by a friend and he gave a small chuckle, smile and waved! Wade's light shone bright and illuminated the path for others. He won his final prize and passed the torch to his loved ones. He will be profoundly missed but never forgotten. In lieu of flowers, the family requests live plants or contributions to adaptive sports programs that he held near and dear and encouraged him to finish his race. · BlazeSports · National Veterans Golden Age Games · Bridge to Sports · Face of America · Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

Wade Hamilton Barbee, Jr.

October 30, 1958 - June 15, 2024