Wade Preston Salmon

Wade Preston Salmon died on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Alamance Regional Medical Center. He was 87 years old. A service honoring his life will be held this Friday, April 26th. Visitation will be held at Lowe Funeral Home in Burlington at 11:30 AM. The graveside funeral service will follow at Alamance Memorial Park, beginning at 1:00 PM.

Wade was born in Lillington, NC on July 10, 1936 to John William Salmon and Callie Mae Gregory Salmon. He had seven siblings: Sally, Linda, Worth, Clayton, Eddie, Clara, and Royal. 

By the time Wade was 8 years old, both his parents had passed and he was sent to live at the Raleigh Methodist Orphanage along with his younger sisters, Sally and Linda. The orphanage provided him with systems, structure, and a work ethic he would use for the rest of his life to excel in everything he did. While there, he lettered in all sports and was exceptionally gifted at football. He was number 44 and co-captain of the Raiders.

In 1955, Wade graduated from and left the Methodist Orphanage with a scholarship to Chowan Junior College. From there he enlisted in the US Navy to serve as First Class Petty Officer. As part of his enlisted assignment, he was deployed by way of the Navy USS Boxer to the Pacific, Bikini Atoll for Nuclear Testing, referred to as OPERATION HARDTACK. 

While on leave, Wade met and fell in love with Shirley Ann White. They were married September 7, 1958 in Burlington, NC. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Elon College. They bought their first home on Young Street in Burlington where they had their first child, daughter, Candace Ann and two years later, a son, Wade Preston, Jr. Together they worked to build a life, career, family, and home.

Wade’s characteristics of being charming, enthusiastic, resilient, persistent, and empathetic made him the epitome of a salesman. In the late 1960’s, he landed a sales position with Klein Tools where he went on to win the recognition of National Sales champion, four times over the course of his successful, 30-year career.

Wade was always full of life. An active member of the Carolinas Electrical Contractors Association, Wade was part of the original committee that organized the NC Electrical Apprentice contest which started approximately 39 years ago and continues to this day. In addition, he was active in his local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He was a dedicated grandfather who treasured spending time with his granddaughters, Pressley and Catherine. He always enjoyed picking them from school in his vintage truck and spoiling them with trips to the Holly Hill Mall, Burlington City Park, and other fun places around the city.

After his wife, Shirley, passed, Wade was blessed to meet and love Betty Barham. Over the past 11 years, they have been friends, companions, and spouses to each other. They were together every day, loving and supporting each other in life.

Most recently, this past fall, Wade united with daughter, Linda Marcel of New Jersey. Since meeting, they were able connect and began the process of learning about each other. 

Wade P. Salmon never met a stranger. He was a strong force of life and hard to forget. His presence will be missed by the many people he impacted.

Wade is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley White Salmon, and son, Wade Preston Salmon Jr. He is survived by partner, Betty Barham; daughter, Candace Ann Salmon Hosey (Patrick Hosey); granddaughters, Candace Pressley Cox (Caitlin Cohn); Catherine Gray Ann Cox Wade (Tony Wade); great-granddaughter, Holland Jeffrey Cohn Cox; and daughter, Linda Marcel Calderon (Gene Calderon); granddaughter, Victoria Calderon.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Alamance Regional Medical Center for their support in his final days. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Methodist Home for Children (https://www.mhfc.org/) who work with children needing love. Donations may be made at this link: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E60410&id=16