Harry Wade Chalfant (91) of Fairfax Station, VA died on Friday, October 6, 2017 at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA.

He was born to Milo and Arley Chalfant on February 27, 1926 in Story, WY., youngest of 8 brothers and 2 sisters. He grew up in a ranch environment riding a horse to a one-room school in Story through the 8th grade graduating from Sheridan High School in 1943. He served briefly in the U.S. Navy at the end of WWII.

Wade married Dorothy Kingwell in August 1948 and divorced in August 1954. Wade married his present wife of 62 years, Marcia J. Walton of Sheridan, WY, on May 21, 1955.

A man of integrity with a strong sense of personal responsibility, Wade was also known for his sense of humor, love of poetry, literature, music and art as well as a passion for knowledge. He worked as a bartender and roofer in his early years and played the bass drum in the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps. Wade was a respected insurance claims adjuster for over 36 years retiring from Crawford and Company in Gillette, WY.

Wade had a green thumb and took great pleasure in growing beautiful flowers. He possessed an abiding respect for the outdoors and strong interest in history, especially culture of the American West and native peoples of Wyoming and Montana.

He volunteered with literacy programs and taught advanced courses in insurance licensing and certification.

A passage from Norman Maclean's ‘A River Runs Through It' captures the compassion, clarity and wisdom Wade often exhibited during his life: "Each one of us will at one time in our lives look upon a loved one who is in need and ask the same question: We are willing to help, Lord, but what, if anything, is needed? For it is true we can seldom help those closest to us. Either we don't know what part of ourselves to give or, more often than not, the part we have to give is not wanted. And so, it is those we live with and should know who elude us. But we can still love them – we can love completely without complete understanding."

Wade is survived by his wife Marcia; son Greg and his wife Jeanne of Fairfax Station VA; daughter Cynthia Chalfant-York and her husband Tim of Marion IL; 2 grandsons, Geoff Chalfant of Virginia Beach, VA and Nicholas Ebertz of Bloomington, IN; 2 granddaughters, Carly Lee of Morrisville, NC and Caitlyn Chalfant of Vienna, VA; one great-grandchild, Preston Lee; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, Wade was predeceased by his brothers and sisters.

Wade was cremated with no services according to his wishes. His ashes will be distributed by immediate family at a future date.

If desired, donations may be made in Wades' name to: Elks Lodge 520, 45 W Brundage St, Sheridan, WY 82801. 307-674-7297.

The Sheridan Press - Oct. 16, 2017.