Wade Orsburn

ALVIN “WADE” ORSBURN

Wade Orsburn, 77, a native and lifelong resident of Gainesville, went peacefully to his heavenly home on Jan. 27, 2010 of complications from Parkinson’s Disease. He was born to Alvin and Jesse Whitt Orsburn on Dec. 14, 1932. He was married on June 17, 1955 to Ramona Steen Orsburn, who survives him. He was the proud father of Derrin "Keith" Orsburn of Denton and devoted grandfather "Poppie" of Kade James Orsburn. They survive him, along with Keith’s wife, Jamie and her daughters whom Wade also loved and cherished: Rachel and husband, Mark Cannon of Henrietta and Maegan and Carlyn Anderson of Denton.

Wade was one of six siblings who were born and reared on a small farm in eastern Cooke County, attending Oak Valley School. Wade graduated from Gainesville High School and Cooke County Junior College. He was regarded as the patriarch of his generation of the pioneer Cooke County family. His family greatly loved and respected him for his honesty, loyalty, strong sense of fairness and humor. All of his brothers and sisters survive him: Norma Mozingo of Gainesville, Hattie Pawless and husband Mugg of Gainesville, Don Orsburn and wife Reece of Gainesville, Emma Moore of Callisburg and Charles Orsburn and wife Ellen of Oak Point, along with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, mother and one child, Dwight David Orsburn.

He was an independent oil operator and manager of oil properties for R. Brannon & Sons, and after gaining experience at Texaco, Inc. and Felderhoff Brothers Drilling Co., Wade was one of the “old guard” whose handshake was as good as an ironclad, written contract. Wade was actively involved in many facets of the community. In his early years he was a member of the Red Gordon Band, which raised money for polio research. He officiated for the National Association of Sports Officials, through which he met his beloved Mona, who was playing basketball at Collinsville High School. He was a longstanding member of the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, where he served as a deacon and chairman of the building committee that constructed the Youth Activity Center. He was a member of the Lions Club and the board of directors of Camp Sweeney, the Gainesville Boy’s Club, the Gainesville Housing Authority, and the Cooke County Draft Board.

The family will be present for visitation at Geo. J. Carroll and Son Funeral Home this evening from 7 to 8 p.m. A celebration of his life will be Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Gainesville, to be conducted by the Rev. Hubert Wright. There will be an additional visitation in the activities building of the First Baptist Church from 1 to 2 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Bill Cox, Garry Felderhoff, James Hermann, Tommy James, Johnny Leftwich, Lewis Moore, Randy Orsburn and Bud Pawless. The Deacon Body of the First Baptist Church will be honorary pallbearers. Greeters are grandson-in-law, Mark Cannon and nephews, Brent Mozingo, Trent Mozingo and Vince Pawless.

Interment will take place at the Collinsville Cemetery following the celebration. Services are under the direction of the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pecan Tree Manor for their excellent care of Wade during the last stages of his illness.

Memorials may be sent to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 (www.pdf.org); Camp Sweeney, 10687 FM 678, Whitesboro, TX 76273-4840 (www.campsweeney.org) or any other charity of choice.