Roger Wade Kellam

Kellam, Roger Wade , our Dad, Granddad, Brother, and Husband died today.  Roger Wade Kellam (December 17, 1950-September 13, 2019) breathed his last breath in the early morning hours of September 13, 2019.  He leaves his wife of 49 years, Cindi Castleman Kellam, and precious children: Lori Diann Kellam and her husband, Christopher Edwards, of Philadelphia; Christopher Wade Kellam and his wife, Bari Aronesty Kellam, of Boynton Beach, Florida; and Whitney Kellam Stokley and her husband, Christopher Stokley, of Cincinnati; his much loved and adored granddaughters, Olivia Pearl Kellam and Elliotte Rose Kellam; his two sisters and their husbands, Steve and Marsha Kellam Kyle and Butch and Joann Kellam Judkins.  Wade loved and liked his family and dearly wanted them near.  And we, with great love, liked him back, and shall miss him and honor him in our memory every day.

Wade grew up in Woodbine, his mother living in the same house until her passing a few years ago.  He met Cindi Castleman while they were still in high school at Central High in Nashville.  About a year after he graduated, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, doing basic training at Camp Pendleton in California.  He and Cindi married in June 1970 and shortly afterward he was assigned to duty in Viet Nam.  They spent their first year of married life living 9,000 miles apart.  When he returned from Viet Nam, they lived at Camp LeJune in North Carolina until he completed his obligation to the military and they moved back to Nashville to start a life together.

To Wade, living meant willful, cheerful engagement and doing. He was a man of unshakable conviction. He was a man of integrity and honor.  He was a man with an incredible work ethic.  He was the longest-serving employee of Lee Company at the time of his death (47 years, 1972-2019).  He enjoyed his work and liked his friends and co-workers. Wallace Lee was not only a mentor, but one of his favorite people and held a special place in his heart.

Wade’s children and granddaughters were the pride and joy of his life. The legacy of Wade’s kind spirit, passion for cycling, love of reading, and zest for life will live on through them. Because of this, Wade died a much loved, respected, and important man. Rest in peace Go-Dad. We will miss you.

Flowers happily accepted or contributions to the Mt Juliet Animal Care and Control, 115 Industrial Drive, Mt Juliet, TN.

A Celebration of Life service will be conducted 6 p.m. Sunday, September 15, 2019 at Bond Memorial Chapel.

Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. Sunday at Bond Memorial Chapel, N. Mt. Juliet Road and Weston Drive, Mt. Juliet, TN. (615)773-2663. www.bondmemorial.com