Judy Barter's dining room table has turned into a memorial to her son, as she sifts through 42 years of memories dating back to his first day of kindergarten.
As she reads over Wade's first impression of his teacher, "She stinks," Judy chuckles remarking. "So much for the first day of school."
Wade Barter, a Fire Captain with the Daisy Mountain Fire Department, lost his life during a hunting accident in Colorado earlier this month.
"It was just a tragic accident," said Judy, Wade’s mother.
So many memories for a man who could never refuse a request to help his community.
"Wade was born to serve, when he was little my mother told me 'Judy he will give you the last dime in his pocket or the shirt off his back,’" recalls Judy.
She smiles as she recalls his graduation from Peoria High School. He was offered a football scholarship and started college, but soon forfeited the scholarship to join the Navy.
"He thought he'd join the Navy, be stationed in San Diego and that way he could come home on the weekend," remembered Judy.
Again, the proud mother chuckles, recalling the phone call where Barter informed them he was being shipped off to Japan.
In the Navy, Barter became a firefighter and continued his work when he returned to the Valley with the Daisy Mountain Fire Department.
"I'm just proud of the man he became. He's a very special man," said Judy. "He never ever boasted about what he did, but he gladly did it, that was his job and that's what he loved doing."
"Half my career was spent with Wade on the same truck," said fellow Daisy Mountain Fire Fighter Jon Binsbacher.
Binsbacher recalls good times at the fire department, and told ABC15 Barter was known for his 'Jolly' attitude and the willingness to always step up to get the job done.
"Wade was really good at having a lot of irons in the fire, we would joke about it a lot," laughs Binsbacher.
On top of serving as Fire Captain at Daisy Mountain Fire Department, Barter served as a Paramedic, Terrorist Liaison Officer, and was instrumental in starting the department's Hazardous Materials Team.
He also made time to fundraise for the department's charities.
"He would also bring his boys up to the toy drive, he loved his kids so much and his wife," said Binsbacher, who admired how much Barter cared for his family.
The Daisy Mountain Firefighters have started a GOFUNDME to help the family. Barter leaves behind a wife and five sons, ranging in age from 6 months to 19 years.
Fundraiser by Carrie Barter : Wade Barter Memorial Fund
"I'll miss Wade's positive attitude and I guess I'll miss that mustache too," said Binsbacher.
Judy told ABC15, She'll miss her son walking through the door, and their cook-offs.
"It's just too short, I'm just very thankful that the Lord let us have him for 42 years, but it could've been longer," said the tearful mother.
Captain Wade Barter will be remembered later this week with a visitation on Wednesday, November 29 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary, 6500 E. Bell Road, in Scottsdale.
A public memorial service will be on Thursday, November 30 at 10 a.m. at the Christ's Church of the Valley, 7007 W. Happy Valley Road, in Peoria.
A burial will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona and the public is welcomed.
