Wade G. Hembree, 82, land developer and general contractor in Florida for 61 years passed on peacefully to his reward on Oct. 21, 2015, with his son, Gregory Wade Hembree and granddaughter, Jordan Elizabeth Hembree at his side in St. Petersburg, Florida. Wade was born the son of a hard working share cropper, John Ruby Hembree, and his wife, Lucille Lindsey in Lawrence County, Alabama. As a young man, toil of farm life made him a hard worker and instilled the desire to find another life path. As many young men of his time, Wade left his education at Memphis State behind and joined the United States Marine Corp. to serve his country as a helicopter crew chief in the Korean War.
Returning state side, Wade settled in Northwest Florida and began building homes with his brother, J.D. Hembree. The men developed a reputation as builders of quality affordable homes. Eventually Wade expanded his building experience to include thousands of single family homes, golf communities, office parks, townhouse communities, apartment complexes, condominium projects, and subdivisions in not only Florida, but Texas and Georgia as well.
Wade’s lifelong passion for flying brought many happy times to family and friends alike. He was one of the last Americans to fly a private plane to Cuba. Many times he told the story of the air traffic controller in Havana asking to watch for the trains because a railroad crossed the runway. Flying to a Gator game with friends or a jaunt to the Bahamas brought a great happiness to Wade. He had over 3000 hours, was multi engine and IFR rated.
Wade is preceded in death by his parents and brother; nephew, Stephen Wade Hembree; and niece, Carla Claire Hembree.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Maxine Hembree; his children, Gregory Wade Hembree, Jeffery Kevin Hembree, and Kathy Hembree Joyner; brothers wife, Cassandra Long, his brothers former wife, Virginia Sillman; nephews, Kevin Clayton Hembree and wife, Lois Hembree, Drew Long and wife, Trish, and Neil Long; nieces, Janice D. Hembree and husband, Jerry McDaniel, Stephen’s wife, Katherine Hembree, Tina Benoit and husband, Hank Benoit; grandchildren, Jordan Elizabeth Hembree, Bridget Nicole Joyner, Madison Kay Joyner, and Kiley Michele Joyner.
A service will be held at Johnson Chapel, 1260 North Johnson Chapel Rd., Danville, Alabama, on Dec. 12, 2015, at 10 a.m. A gathering of friends and family in the Florida Panhandle will be held Nov. 28, 2015, at 278 Savelle Drive, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to your favorite charity, Habitat For Humanity or Homes For Our Troops.
