Arbeth Junior Wade

Arbeth Junior Wade, “A. J.” to family and friends, age 92 of Moorefield, WV, passed away Saturday evening, June 1, 2024, at his residence. Born on June 11, 1931, in Hagans, Monongalia County, WV, an area often referred to as “Big Indian Creek”, he was a son of the late Arbeth Roy Wade and Thelma Elizabeth Eddy Wade. Brothers, Ken Wade and Gary L. Wade also preceded him in death. 

A.J. graduated from Morgantown High School in 1950. In 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie “Marge” Ann Layton, also an alumnus of Morgantown High School having graduated in 1952. A.J. enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1951, serving 16 months’ active duty and 10 years in the Reserves. A.J.’s battalion from Camp Pendleton was present in the Nevada Desert when one of the many tests of the Atomic Bomb was implemented. At this time in his career in 1952, this particular test was called Operation Tumbler-Snapper. The exercise was designed to test the effects of an atomic bomb on ground troops.

In 1953, A.J. began his career as a WV State Trooper for 15 years serving the public in Charles Town, Parsons, Romney and Moorefield, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community he served with honor. In 1968, A.J. was looking to be transferred from Moorefield and he and Marge chose to stay, him leaving the State Police.  A.J. then purchased the Western Auto store from George “Mutt” Thomas, of which he operated until 1974. He then became a licensed real estate broker and a Private Investigator.

Between 1975 and 2009, A.J. held public offices in Hardy County as a Magistrate, County and Circuit Clerk (prior to the separation of these offices) and as a County Commissioner. A.J. is the only person in West Virginia to have held all of these public offices. In 2015, he filed to run for a position on the Moorefield Town Council, of which he served for 6 months. A truly remarkable individual, A. J. Wade's commitment to his community and country leaves an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.

His memory will continue to be cherished by his daughter; Holly (Skip) Landes of Moorefield, WV; a son, Stephen (Ann) Wade of Olympia, WA; a sister, Karen Takash of Hagans, WV; two grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Fraley Funeral Home Chapel, 107 Washington Street, with Pastor Dan Sterns officiant.

Memorials in his honor may be directed to the Hardy County Public Library, 102 N Main Street, Moorefield, WV 26836 or the Hardy County Health & Wellness Center, 411 Spring Avenue #102,  Moorefield, WV 26836. Expressions of condolences, shared memories and cherished photographs may be left on “A.J.’s” Tribute Wall at www.fraleyfuneralhome.com honoring his remarkable journey and the impact he made in the lives of those he touched.

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