Herbert Wade Choate

Wade Choate, former Mayor of Big Spring passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2017 in Midland at the age of 84. He was a long time resident of Big Spring where he was born on August 19, 1932 to Vera Francis Wade and John Harold Choate. He married Toni Barron Choate on January 17, 1959 in Big Spring and she predeceased him on March 3, 2012. He was a great grandson of W. T. and Mary Roberts, who were among the first permanent settlers in Howard County in 1877 near Moss Springs where they established a 12 section ranch. Family visitation will be 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, March 3, 2017 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel in Big Spring, Texas. Services will be on Saturday, March 4th at 2:00 PM at St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Big Spring, Texas. Services will be conducted by his cousin’s wife, Rev. Katie Churchwell of St Petersburg, FL.Wade graduated from Coahoma High School, Howard College and attended Southern Methodist University where he was a member of the Mustang Band. He served the Big Spring community as District Clerk, County Auditor, Howard County School Board, President of the Big Spring YMCA, youth leader for Youth and Government for 16 years and March of Dimes, The Heritage Museum of Big Spring, VP and longtime member of the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce, West Side Community Center, United Way, and Boy Scouts of America. He also served on the Colorado River Municipal Water District. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Wade was selected as the Rotary Club Outstanding Man of the Year in 1974 and the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year in 1980”. He served as Mayor Pro-Tem and Mayor during his 10 years of service on the Big Spring City Council. During that time Webb Air Force Base was closed and Choate was one of many who were instrumental in acquiring the Webb AFB properties for the City of Big Spring along with the McMahon/Wrinkle Air Park.Wade was elected as District Clerk at the age of 23 years and was later appointed by District Judges Charlie Sullivan and Ralph Caton to serve as County Auditor. He served as General Manager of Webb AFB Federal Credit Union and Citizens Federal Credit Union for 16 years. He was appointed by President Gerald Ford to the National Association of Credit Unions, Washington, D.C. and at the same time was appointed by Governor Preston Smith to the Texas State Board of Credit Unions, Austin, Texas. He then became an Independent Landman. Wade worked in the oil and gas business for 35 years and earned the status of Certified Petroleum Landman. He and his wife moved to Midland in 2005 to expand and grow their business.He is survived by his son Kyle Wade Choate of Midland and partner David Vasquez, son in law, Kyle Cook of Breckenridge; two grandchildren, Ragan Outlaw and husband Justin Outlaw of Greenwood and Justin Darden of Stanton. Great grandchildren, Hunter Wade Outlaw, Kade Westley Outlaw, Brannon Dae Darden and Bryleigh Darden; brother in law, Jerry Barron of Seabrook, TX. He is survived by many cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife; daughter Melody Ann Cook; his parents and one brother John Harold Choate, Jr. He was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church of Big Spring.Wade will be remembered as a loving dad and grandfather and best known to family as Poppy. His friends will remember him as a kind, thoughtful and loving man who was always there to help others and wanted to make you feel welcomed and loved. He was a great teacher to many while working at the Credit Union and those he taught to become Landmen in the oil and gas business.Pallbearers: Todd Gibson of Midland, Judge Robert H. Moore III, Henry DelaRosa, and Todd Darden, all of Big Spring, Henry DelaRosa, Jr. and Adrain DelaRosa of Austin.Honorary Pallbearers: Jimmy Taylor, Bruce Griffith, Drew Mouton, Clyde McMahon, Jr., Jerry Grimes all of Big Spring; Bill Eiland, Harry Spannaus, Jamie Small and Fred Wetendorf all of Midland; Gary Griffin of Buffalo Gap, TX; and Ben Bancroft of Hot Springs, AR.The family suggests memorials to The Heritage Museum of Big Spring, 510 Scurry St., Big Spring, TX 79720 or Home Hospice of Midland, 200 W. Illinois, Suite 190, Midland 79701 or your favorite charity.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences may be made at: www.npwelch.com,