Regents chairman Larry Wade dies Sunday morning

An OU regent passed away early this morning in Oklahoma City, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Larry Wade, OU Board of Regents chairman, passed away at 1:10 a.m. Sunday at the Baptist Integris Health Center in Oklahoma City at age 72, said hospital spokeswoman Leslie McKean.

Chris Purcell, regents executive secretary, said Wade was on his way to an OU basketball game when he collapsed. He was flown to Oklahoma City to be treated by a heart specialist. The cause of death will not be provided until a medical examiner makes an official determination, McKean said.

“Oklahoma has lost one of its most dedicated citizen leaders. Larry Wade devoted his life to building a better future for our state and his hometown of Elk City,” OU President David Boren said. “As an active alumnus and regent for the University of Oklahoma, he was a champion for students. His first priority was more scholarships for students to give all an opportunity to learn.”

Regents Vice Chairman John Bell will assume Wade’s duties as chairman until the regents elect a successor.

“It is with a heavy heart that I learned the news of Larry Wade’s death,” Bell said. “Larry was a strong advocate for students, as evidenced by his leadership for the scholarship campaign. Along with being a loving husband and father, he was the ultimate OU fan. Larry’s concern and involvement at all three universities governed by our Board will be missed.”

Larry Wade’s Life Accomplishments

• Editor of The Oklahoma Daily

• 1961 OU graduate with a bachelor’s in journalism

• Publisher of Elk City Daily News

• President of Oklahoma Press Association

• President of the Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation

• President of Elk City Education Foundation

• Mayor of Elk City

• President of Chamber of Commerce

• President of United Fund

• President of Kiwanis Club

• President of the Arts Council

Nicholas Harrison

Nicholas is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Opinion Columnist and News Reporter.