George Emmett "Tripp" Wade, Iii

George Emmett “Tripp” Wade, III, 62, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Columbus, Georgia, on August 31, 2022.

A funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Tuesday, September 6, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2101 Wildwood Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31906. Interment will follow at Parkhill Cemetery according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, Georgia 31907. Serving as Pallbearers are David G. Lewis, Jack Pease Jenkins, John Flory, Joseph C. Slade, Sonny White, Julio Portillo, North Johnson, Kevin Loncher, John Douglas, John Holt, and Scott Ressmeyer.

Tripp was born in Savannah, Georgia on September 8, 1959, to George Emmett “Sonny” Wade, Jr. and the late Gertrude (Trudy) Crockett Wade.

Tripp attended the University of Georgia and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.  He graduated in 1981 with a degree in economics, and followed his grandfather and father in the family business.  Building on a decades-long legacy, he grew The Wade Companies into a thriving organization, providing Columbus with a premier linen and laundry service from their corporate headquarters in Midtown Columbus. He expanded the business with the acquisition of ColorMac2 and Henri’s Formal Wear and the development of HOOAHWEAR military apparel.

Tripp was very active in the community. A member of The Columbus Rotary Club for 32 years, he served as 2006-2007 president and later as the Foundation Chair.

A champion of economic development and revitalization, he served several years on the board of directors for MidTown, Inc., including a three year term as president.  He served as a board member on the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, the Columbus Sports Council, the Saint Francis Foundation, the Better Business Bureau, the CSC Network, and the Summerwinds Condominium Association. Tripp was also an alumni of Leadership Georgia and Leadership Columbus.

Tripp was an avid outdoorsman and a gentleman farmer.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends. He was a member of the Muscogee Fishing Club and enjoyed this membership immensely spending a lot of time at Dead Lakes.  He also enjoyed his long-term memberships at both the Country Club of Columbus and the Green Island Country Club.

Tripp is survived by his wife, Alice Skinner Wade; sons George Emmett Wade IV, William Andrew Wade, and Wesley Crockett Wade; father Sonny; sister Cissy Wade Clark (Will); stepbrother, Walkie K. Trawick (Connie) and stepsister, Lesley Trawick and numerous nieces and nephews.

Flowers are graciously accepted, but those wishing to do so may make a donation to St. Paul United Methodist Church, MidTown, Inc., or the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley Miracle Ride Fund.

The service will be livestreamed by St. Paul United Methodist Church and can be viewed at the following link: http://live.spumccolumbus.com/