Alton LaVar Wade, a man whose life was a testament to kindness, service, and unwavering dedication to the Lord, Jesus Christ and his loved ones, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2024, at the age of 90. Alton is survived by his wife, Diana Wade, 8 beloved children, Mark (Denise), Brent (Heidi), Ron (Brenda), Lori (Keith), Dave (Julie), Matt (Lisa May), Lisa (Jason), and Cindy, 36 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of dear friends and extended family whose lives he impacted for good.
The son of Emily Maria Ashby and Frank Elmore Schroeder Jr., Alton Lavar Ashby Schroeder was born in Leamington, Utah on March 29, 1934. After a brief first marriage, Emily married Vivian Rowley Wade in 1936, who later adopted Alton. Alton was raised in Leamington until the age of nine by his grandparents who loved him tenderly and taught him to work hard. He often attributed aspects of his own character to Grandma Jane and Grandpa Rodney Ashby and to the time they invested in him. His younger years were happily spent milking cows, tromping hay, and riding his beloved horse, Toby.
He attended Millard High School in Fillmore, UT. As an all-state track star and an All-American running back, he could beat anyone in the 40-yard dash, earning him the nickname of “Slick” which stuck with him for much of his life. Alton attended Brigham Young University, where he played football, before leaving to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Central States Mission, an experience that made a lifelong impact on him and those he served.
He returned to BYU after his mission where he met the love of his life and eternal companion, Diana Daniels. On Valentine’s day 1957, while engaged, Alton bought Diana a single rose for 20 cents, with a promise to increase by one rose for each new year, and each child and grandchild. In February of this year he bought her 174 roses, a symbol of their ever-flourishing family and the deep and abiding love they built. Alton and Diana were married in the LA Temple on June 8, 1957. Throughout their marriage he viewed her as his steady hand in times of challenges, his ultimate supporter, friend, and eternal companion.
In 1963 they moved to Temple View, New Zealand, a life-changing experience for Alton and the family, where he served as Principal of the LDS Church College of New Zealand. It also marked the start of a long career in education and administration that included a doctorate degree from BYU. After leaving New Zealand in 1971, Alton traveled as a zone administrator over the South Pacific, Asia, and North and South America for the LDS Church Educational System, served as president of Dixie College in St. George, UT, and was then appointed president of Brigham Young University-Hawaii. He ended his career at BYU Provo as Vice President of Student Life. He also loved and served many through his ecclesiastical callings as an LDS Stake President, Temple Sealer, and Stake Patriarch.
At each institution, students were his unquestioned priority. It is impossible to quantify the number of lives impacted by his desire to provide a rich education and a welcome community. The ripples of his leadership are felt around the globe in both small and large ways.
Before retiring to St. George, UT, Alton and his wife Diana served as mission presidents of the Washington D.C. South Mission. They treasure the relationships they continue to have with their missionaries and their families.
Alton liked a little toast with his honey, and a little food with his salt. He could never pass on a good pecan pie. He was “the claw” to his grandchildren. His wit and charm drew people to him. He had a famous whistle that could instantly quiet a crowd at the start of a dinner gathering. He believed that everyone could be good and do right and he kindly motivated people to rise to the occasion.
It would be impossible to recap Alton’s life without mentioning his relationship with his youngest daughter, Cindy Cherie, who was never far from his side. We believe that one of the last sounds Alton heard was Cindy playing her violin for her dad, just as he would want it.
Alton will be profoundly missed, but the impact of his love and legacy will resonate forever in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him. A family friend from New Zealand may have said it best, “A mighty kauri has fallen in the forest.”
He was a father, a husband, a grandfather, and above all a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. He would want all who are reading this to know he had a deep and abiding belief in a loving and merciful Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. This is the truth by which he lived his life and which most deeply remains with us after his death. We invite all to seek Him as Alton did.