Wade Plummer

CONCORD- Wade Hamrick Plummer, age 42, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 21, 2022. He was born on October 22, 1979, in Concord, NC, to Franklin Roosevelt Plummer and the late Mary Anne Irvin (Plummer), who preceded him in death in December 2020. Wade grew up on Williamsburg Court and graduated from Concord High School (’98) where he excelled in honors classes, developed a life-long joy for literature and started on the football team. Thereafter, he graduated from UNC-Wilmington (’02) where he played on the rugby team and delved into theology, namely the Bible and Jesus’s radical teachings of love and compassion to all and the rejection of legalism.

Later, Wade earned a teaching certificate from UNCC in special education to pursue his calling to help those with developmental disabilities. Wade worked in local public schools with special needs students. Wade was very passionate to embrace such students as he truly saw them as indeed “special”. He was a talented and creative educator/tutor who selflessly gave himself to others who were in need; he advocated tirelessly for the voiceless and vulnerable. Wade had a humble, gentle disposition and possessed a sharp wit and great sense of humor. Recognizing differences and accepting others for whom and what they were without judgment was his true nature.

Wade’s great regret was his physical deterioration which forced him into full disability, stealing his life’s purpose. He suffered two neck disc fusions and 17 back fractures which afflicted him with years of agonizing pain and anxiety. His family, most especially his parents, exhausted a multitude of medical treatments with little or no relief to Wade.

Wade’s family wishes to thank many individuals who were especially kind and giving to him at various points in his life, including Coach Clement Fleming, Dr. Victor Ha, Dr. Thomas Jones, Dr. Elana (Chicky) Engstrom LePabic, the late Dr. George Engstrom, Adam Trick and Lexter Fennell.

In addition to his father, survivors include step-mother, Sharon Simpson Plummer, brother, Matthew Franklin Plummer, brother, Joseph Holland Plummer and wife, Simone Gasparini Plummer, and their children, Bianca and Rafael, and many caring aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Also, Wade is survived by his cherished best friend, Jingles, a rescued canine who brought him much-needed comfort and companionship.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Cabarrus County(PO Box 1405, Concord NC 28026) and Coltrane Life Center(321 Corban Ave, SE, Concord NC 28025)—both local organizations Wade volunteered with over the years that further his desire to help those in need.

A receiving will be held Sunday, April 24th, at Wilkinson Funeral Home, 100 Branchview Drive, Concord, NC at 4:00 p.m. The memorial service will follow in the chapel there at 5:00 p.m.

Rest now in eternal peace our dear sweet Wade as we are assured there are indeed no more tears in Heaven.