Wade Pharr Carrigan was lucky to have been born on a farm near Mooresville, N.C., and was a farmer all his life. Wade was born January 5, 1928, to the late Bruce Reid and Elizabeth Linker Carrigan.
Growing up, Wade was a true farm boy who could drive anything, so when Mooresville Senior High needed a bus driver, they asked Wade. He agreed and after a little training got his driver’s license while driving a school bus — as long as Wade didn’t tip over the milk bottle in the front aisle of the bus, he was legal on the road. Later, he met a pretty young lady named Phyllis Towell, who was a few years younger than him and played on the girls’ basketball team. During their courtship, they often enjoyed a double scoop of ice cream for five cents at the Deluxe Ice Cream Parlor. Wade and Phyllis also spent time with their friends watching the Mooresville Moors play baseball on a field not far from Phyllis’ house.
On August 20, 1950, Wade and Phyllis were the last couple to be married in the old sanctuary at Prospect Presbyterian Church. They were active members in that church all their lives. Their life together was spent loving the land and their family.
Wade was a dairyman, a farmer, and an avid conservationist. His life’s passion was caring for our soil and water resources. He was a past president and board member, respectively, of the North Carolina and the National Associations of Soil and Water Conservation. He was recognized for his work by being inducted into the NC Association’s Hall of Fame, the Southeastern District’s Hall of Fame, and by receiving the Order of the Longleaf Pine by then-Gov. Jim Hunt. Visitors to the Jim Graham building at the NC State Fairgrounds can find Wade’s NC Soil & Water Conservation Hall of Fame plaque hanging in the main hallway. Wade was a familiar face at Carrigan Farms, where he assisted his son, Doug, until only a few years ago. Wade mowed 15 acres of grass at the farm on a weekly basis, frequently getting himself stuck in the mud or in a ditch on the side of Highway 150.
Wade much enjoyed rabbit hunting with friends, shelling pecans and black walnuts, sitting on the porch and watching the cars go by, and cheering on the NC State Wolfpack.
Wade and Phyllis enjoyed traveling together and visited 49 of the 50 states and six of the seven continents. They traveled to Ghana for mission trips with the Presbyterian Church and established a fund through the Presbyterian Foundation to support clean water projects in Ghana and throughout the world. Their lifelong passion for both conservation and helping others is embodied in this mission.
Wade passed away on March 8, 2024, at his residence surrounded by his loving family. In addition to his parents, Wade was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Phyllis Towell Carrigan; and by his sister, Agnes Carrigan Ulrich.
He is survived by his children, Doug Carrigan (Kelly), Jan Payne (Dwight), and Tom Carrigan (Connie); grandchildren, Jonathan Payne (Emily), Michael Payne, Jamison Carrigan (Kristin Pruitt), Samuel Carrigan (Kelsey Kem), Elizabeth Carrigan, and William Carrigan; great grandchildren, Addie and Georgia Payne; and by his sister, Betty Alexander.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at Prospect Presbyterian Church, Mooresville, with Rev. Will Gipe and Rev. Jan Edmiston officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Family Life Center.
Every farmer puts his land to rest for the winter. On spring’s horizon it is brought back to life. God has put this farmer to rest, and with a spring in his step, he walks the horizon to a new life.
Memorials in celebration of Wade’s life and mission may be sent to The Wade P. and Phyllis T. Carrigan Endowment through the Presbyterian Foundation, Attn: Client Services, 200 East 12th Street, Jefferson, IN 47130, Account #1020059012, Fund ID 45898. This fund provides resources for clean water projects in developing countries around the world.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the family.