Glenn Wade Leach, Jr.

June 11, 2024

Glenn Wade Leach, Jr., passed away on June 11, 2024, with his loving wife, Beverly, by his side.

Wade was born to the late Glenn Wade Leach, Sr. and Grace Thompson Leach on November 19, 1958, in Raleigh, North Carolina. His family moved to High Point when he was a teenager, and he graduated high school from High Point Central High School.

Longing to return to his original home of Raleigh, Wade enrolled at North Carolina State University, where he earned degrees in Mechanical and Materials Engineering. Ever the proud Wolfpack fan, Wade “was there” for the Cardiac Pack’s run in the 1983 NCAA Tournament. And he made sure to remind every Tar Heel fan he encountered of the same. While at NC State, Wade was also an active member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Up until his passing, Wade considered his fraternity brothers his extended family.

After graduating from college, Wade accepted a job with what would be the only employer he worked for during his career, Teledyne Allvac (now ATI Specialty Materials). Initially starting in Charlotte, Wade’s work took him to Orange County, California, South Boston, Virginia, Danville, Virginia, and back to Charlotte over a thirty-five-year period, with countless other travels in between.

While in Charlotte (the first time), Wade met his loving wife Beverly Leach (née King). It took a few times to get Beverly to agree to go on a date with him, but ever the persistent one, Wade finally convinced her to say “yes,” and as they say, the rest is history.

Wade was a devoted husband and father, and he rarely, if ever, met a stranger. Other than spending time with his family, there was little more Wade loved than finding an open tee box or fairway. Finding the greens could be a different story, depending on the day. 

Later in life, Wade developed a devastating and debilitating diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. But with persistence, love, and support of his family, fraternity brothers, and friends, Wade battled his diagnosis with courage and tenacity for nearly a decade. He was also a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife of thirty-four years, Beverly King Leach; his son, G. Wade Leach, III; his brother Wesley Leach (Charlottesville, VA); his sisters-in-law, Nita Rogister Leach (Raleigh, NC) and Rickie King McEntire (Charlotte); many cousins and extended family; and his adopted cat, Jeter.

In addition to his parents, Wade was preceded in death by his brother, Greg Leach.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM, Monday, June 17, 2024, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Following the funeral, the family invites you to join them in a Celebration of Wade's Life at the Morehead Inn, 1122 East Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606.

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Comments

  • Bob Foreman

    Thank you for your leadership and guidance but most of all, thank you for your friendship. You will be missed by many. Rest in peace my friend.

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  • Carole Williams

    Wade was so much like the young adult I wanted my own son Brad to become…and my wish came true. I remember meeting Wade as a young adult and was so positively impressed with his respect and manners. He was a gentleman in every way and as the years passed, his reputation grew. Beverly grew from a beautiful butterfly to become an iron butterfly as she stood by her beloved Wade until his passing. Beverly, please keep in touch and we will support you in any way Tom and I possibly can. We have learned to ask for help ourselves and know how valuable the lesson has been for us.

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  • Ashley Dorado

    It was a pleasure and an honor to have met Wade! Although I only knew him for a short while, I will always remember his jokes and kind nature. My deepest condolences and prayers.

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  • April Bryant

    It was my pleasure to wade an awesome man
    He tried so hard to overcome his obstacles

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  • Rachel Stafford

    I'm so sorry to hear of Wade's passing. I had not seen him since high school at High Point Central, but I remember him being such a nice fellow and classmate. My condolences to his family and friends.

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  • John and Judy Montz

    We enjoyed walking the neighborhood and get-togethers where Wade would laugh and offer clever responses. Beverly was the ever caring wife to a good man with a devastating neurological disease. We will miss him dearly.

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  • Jack and Judy Montz

    We enjoyed walking the neighborhood and get -togethers where Wade would laugh and offer clever responses. Beverly was always the caring wife for a good man suffering from a devastating neurological disease. We will miss him dearly.

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  • Matthew Theriot

    Wade, was more than my boss. I considered him a friend, mentor, and an overall good man. May he Rest In Peace.

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  • Krutika Desai

    Wade was a great person to work with. The ultimate gentleman. RIP. Condolences to the family.

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