Ricky Wade Obituary

Ricky Lane Wade, born April 16, 1953, in Shelbyville, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2025, in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 72.

Ricky was the son of Vernon Wade and Mary Tipton (Harper), and a proud graduate of Shelbyville High School. He built a long and respected career in the bail bonds industry, working to establish both A Way-Out Bail Bonds and Just Bail Bonds. His commitment to his profession led him to become an active member of the Professional Bondsmen of Texas, where he was known for his unwavering honesty and bold personality—Ricky never had a filter and never backed down from speaking the truth.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Jeanie Wade; two beloved stepdaughters, Crystal Padgett and Jennifer Beck; grandchildren Brett Estrada and wife Layla, Jezzica Polk and husband Brendan, Evan Beck, and Parker Beck; and one cherished great-granddaughter, Aurora Estrada; and nephew Kyle Tipton and wife Carolyn. Ricky also leaves behind his brothers Greg Tipton and Vernon Todd Wade, along with a wide circle of extended family, friends, and colleagues who will deeply miss his unique sense of humor, blunt wisdom, and loyal heart.

A memorial service celebrating Ricky’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on July 18, 2025, at Wade Family Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Ricky’s honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children—two causes that reflect his generous spirit.

Ricky’s honesty may have caught some off guard, but those who knew him best wouldn’t have had it any other way. He was fiercely genuine, endlessly loyal, and loved without conditions. His legacy of strength and straight talk will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.