Schools

Parkway South Golf Coach Dies

Parkway South High School students lost golf coach Mark Wade, 59, over the weekend, apparently due to a heart attack.

students and staff are mourning the loss of Mark Wade, who died Saturday of an apparent heart attack. He was 59 years-old.

Chip Allison, Parkway South's athletic director and Wade's close friend, said he found out about the death when he returned home Saturday evening from a girls track meet. Allison said he was stunned by  the news.

"You just can't believe it. There has to be a mistake. This guy walks the golf course all the time. He's in great shape," Allison said.

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Wade would have turned 60 later this month.

Allison said he and Wade both came to 30 years ago together and he's known Wade even longer than that. In fact, Allison said Wade used to own an extermination business when they were both beginning teachers. Allison said he worked for Wade for a couple summers to make some extra money.

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Since that time, Allison said Wade has made many accomplishments that have earned him the respect of his students and colleagues. 

"A great man. You can't say one bad thing about him. The kids love him," Allison explained. "He has turned our golf program into a public school of power. He took over a program that was pretty good and made it into a power."

Allison's teams won the 2000 state championship and seven district titles in the last eleven years.

Allison coached girls and boys golf where golfers like senior  and graduate played under his guidance.

"Scott Langley played for Mark. Now he's the defending NCA Champion in golf  and the first Parkway student athlete to ever win a NCA Individual Championship Division," Allison said. "I think Scott would be the first to tell you that Coach Wade played a big part in his life."

Allison said Wade was also a math teacher at South and the department chair. He leaves behind a wife and three daughters who all attended South. One of his daughters is now a teacher at Parkway's . Allision said he has not spoken with Wade's family and that South's principal has been in contact with his wife. Allison said he and others are trying to give the family the privacy it needs during this time.

The school plans to hold a memorial for students and staff from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday night in South's gym. The school is also looking at possibly creating a scholarship program in Wade's name, Allison explained, but that is one of many ideas being discussed at this time and no decision has been made. He said that for now, people just need time to mourn this sudden loss.

"When you  think of Mark  you think of everything positive. A great man, husband, father, teacher, coach, colleague and a good friend. Everyone is hurting," Allison said. "It's just a huge loss for us."

Wade's death came in the middle of the boys golf playoffs where South won the district team title on Wednesday. Allison said the team advanced to the sectional this coming Wednesday in Poplar Bluff. Students will still play in that tournament, but Allison said he hopes to keep any additional pressure off team members as they head into the competition.


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