Avert O'Neal Wade

 Avert O’Neal Wade, of Russell Springs, passed away Monday, December 16, 2024, at VA Medical Center, in Lexington.  He was 78 years of age.

Bro. O’Neal was a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Army National Guard, a pastor, and former State Chaplain for the DAV. Avert’s life was a testament to service and community. Above all else he put the love of God and sharing the Gospel first in all of his pursuits. 

He was inducted into the Golden Heritage Club of Campbellsville College graduating class of 1968 and received his Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville in 1971. He was a command and unit chaplain in the Army National Guard for 25 years and 5 months with active duty for Balkans Support in Hungary where he led efforts to build a Chapel on base.

O’Neal was instrumental in many mission trips all over the world including Nigeria and Russia, to name a couple. Over this time, he tirelessly worked to build schools, wells and places of worship all while lifting others up and sharing the word of God.

He loved to fish for trout early in the morning right at sunrise before the fog lifted on the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam.  He loved to golf, bowl and kayak - he didn’t get to do it often but had all the equipment. He loved to tell long jokes, short jokes and medium jokes. He loved to laugh. He loved to cook.  He loved to eat. He has one too many slow cookers.  He loved to feed people.

Avert O’Neal had a mission that he attacked with fervor and clung to until his last breath. He was an avid talker and loved people, always consumed with their welfare and faith.   O’Neal was an agent of change for the Holy kingdom.

No well - let’s dig one

No Food - Let’s feed them

No Freedom - Let's organize

No Housing - You can stay here

No Church - Let’s build one

O’Neal was a doer.

Dad had a knack at making the impossible possible.  It has been said that you could fly him high up in a plane and parachute him off at any point of the globe and he would be ok.  Because he would always find a loving kind soul to share the journey with. Count yourself lucky if you have shared this journey with him.  He was hand-picked and God has his number. We will see him shortly. Don’t waste it.

Survivors include two daughters, Melanie Ruth Wade Dyer, of Louisville, and Monica Pauline Conner, of Jamestown; son, Michael Stephen Wade, of Russell Springs; brother, Rollin Bruce (and Bonnie) Wade, of Russell Springs; six grandchildren, Natalie Dyer, Megan Dyer, Cynthia Auterson, Dana Auterson, Noah Auterson, and Maxwell Octavian Wade; and two great-grandchildren, Evie Sullivan and Gabriel Miller.

Funeral services are 10:30 AM CST Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Bernard Funeral Home with Bro. Ed Amundson officiating.  Burial will follow in Salem Cemetery.  Full military honors will be provided by DAV Honor Guard.

Members of the DAV will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 PM CST Friday, December 20, at the funeral home, and will continue at 8:00 AM CST, Saturday morning.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to the DAV.  These can be left at the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements for Avert O’Neal Wade are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.

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