Samuel Hudson McDade, Jr.,age 70, departed this life on Friday, May 5, 2017. He was born December 15, 1946 in Montgomery, Alabama to the late Samuel H. McDade, Sr. and Mary Louise Tate McDade.
He leaves to cherish his memories a loving and faithful wife, Bettye Duncan McDade; one daughter, Samille A. McDade; four sons, Michael A. McDade, Printes M.(Ursula) Duncan of Ellenwood, Georgia, Gerald M. (Alesha) Cooke, Courtney Z. McDade; five grandsons, Jacobie J. Moorer, Robert L. Thrasher, Michael A. McDade Jr., Parker H. Duncan, and Gerald M. Cooke Jr.; three granddaughters, Tiffany N. Wilson, Kennedy E. Duncan, and MaKhya D. Thornton; three great-grandchildren, Jacobie J. Moorer, Jr., Jakayla J. Moorer, and Samiah N. Thrasher; two sisters Elizabeth McDade and Lela M. Person-McDade; two brothers-in-law, Willie J. (Pricilla)Duncan Jr. and Joe Duncan; sister-in-laws Ida Mae Farris, Bernice (Willie) Oliver, Ann (Jerome) Barnes, a devoted niece Michelle (Geoffrey) Carter; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
Samuel McDade attended Booker T. Washington High School in Montgomery, Alabama. His love for music encouraged him to join Booker T. Washington’s Marching Band where he played trombone and later became drum major. He graduated in 1965 and matriculated to Alabama State University where he became distinguished as “Head Drum Major”of Alabama State University Marching Hornets, under Director of Bands, Dr. Thomas E. Lyle, Jr., for four years. In December, 1967, Alabama State Marching Hornets traveled to New York City via train, to perform at Shea Stadium for National Football League New York Jets vs. Kansas City Chiefs half-time show, which was broadcast from start to finish on NBC television. Marking the first time an entire half-time show had been broadcasted coast-to-coast on national television. This year marks the 50th year anniversary of said momentous performance. He was also given credit for establishing “Marching Hornets LEAN-BACK”. He pledged Omega Psi Phi in the fall 1966 and was a charter member for Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, established in Spring of 1967. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science with a minor in Music in 1969 from Alabama State University.
Upon graduating from Alabama State University in 1969, he followed the distinguished Director of Bands at Carter Godwin Woodson High School, Mr. Henry Arthur Duncombe, Jr., in Andalusia, Alabama. Dr. C.C. Baker was Principal of Woodson High School.
Samuel McDade was employed by the Montgomery County Board of Education and began teaching History and band at Montgomery County High in Ramer, Alabama. He also served as Director of Bands for the Montgomery County High Marching Band.
In 1978, Samuel McDade began working for Bell-south where he served as a cable splicer and was apart of the company track team until his retirement in 2002.
Samuel McDade performed on trombone in numerous Montgomery popular bands such as; King Tutt and The Untouchables, Syndicate Band and Harold Young and The Magnificents. He also toured internationally with recording artist, Clarence Carter.
Samuel McDade was active in the community. He attended Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Johnny J. Hollis, where sang lead in the male chorus. He was a proud member of Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alabama, Hamilton Lodge No. 365. He was also a member of the international Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Southern Pride Lodge No. 432 where he was awarded “Man of the Year” in October of 2003.
The memorial service for Mr. McDade will be Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 12 Noon at Mercy Missionary Baptist Church 4720 Bell Rd. Montgomery, AL 36116.