Wade J. Kamm

Wade Jeffry Kamm’s family sadly announces the passing of their beloved brother on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at Big Horn Memorial Hospital’s Long-Term Care Facility, Hardin, MT, Wade’s home for the last four years.  Wade was a lot of fun to be around and loved to make people laugh.  He enjoyed interacting with the staff, telling stories and keeping them on their toes.  He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of his presence.  Wade’s family will forever be thankful for everything the staff did for him.  Everyone, from the long-term care staff to the ER and lab staff- knew Wade and had memorable, positive interactions with him.

Wade was born on June 17, 1955, in Pendleton, OR, to Les and June Kamm.  He was the fourth of seven children and the first boy, with three older sisters.  He was later joined by another sister and two younger brothers.  Wade was raised in the Pendleton area, living in Pilot Rock until age seven before moving to Pendleton, where he graduated from Pendleton High School in 1974.  After graduation, he attended Blue Mountain Community College.  Wade and his parents later moved to Stanfield, OR.

Wade’s family was deeply rooted in rodeo and he naturally followed that path.  He competed in junior rodeos and jackpots, winning many events and awards as a youngster.  He continued rodeoing as a young man, competing in calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling, and steer roping.

In high school, Wade was a member of the Pendleton High School Rodeo Team.  He won the Oregon High School Rodeo Calf Roping Championship in 1974 and helped the Pendleton High School Rodeo Team win the Oregon State Team Championship for the year.

After high school, Wade continued his rodeo career as a member of the Blue Mountain Community College Rodeo Team.  He competed in many rodeos throughout the Columbia Basin Circuit and competed in the calf roping and steer roping at the Pendleton Round-Up.  Wade was an excellent heeler, and he and Les won many team roping events together.

In addition to competing at the Pendleton Round-Up rodeo, Wade followed family tradition by participating in the Happy Canyon Pageant, a night show depicting the settling of the American West during Round-Up week.  He played roles including a scout, a member of the cavalry, and participated in the stagecoach and bank robber scenes, as well as the mounted guadrille.

In 1978, Wade’s life changed forever. While hazing a steer during a college rodeo, his horse fell, and he sustained a severe traumatic brain injury.  After being in a coma for two weeks, he began a long journey toward recovery.  Wade made remarkable progress in regaining strength and coordination, but his short- term memory challenges made independent living and employment impossible.  He returned home to live with Les and June, helping with chores and continuing to rope locally.  Wade spent more than 30 years living with his parents, contributing where he could and helping with chores.  He also helped at his brother Brett’s home when needed.  Brett and his wife, Kelli, lived nearby and assisted with caring for Les and June as they aged, as well as supporting Wade.  Brett, Kelli, and their children, Koty and Kaci, brought a lot of joy to Wade and his parents during this time.

After Les passed away and June and Wade got older, they both needed help living independently in the family home and it was determined that assisted living in Hermiston, OR would best meet their needs.  Wade quickly became well known in this community.  He embraced every activity- Bingo, Uno, anything musical, exercise classes- and he encouraged his mom to participate as well.  After nearly a year in assisted living in Hermiston, Wade and June moved to Boise, Idaho, to be closer to his brother Scott, sister-in-law Sherri, and sister Sally, who had been entrusted with their care.  While in Boise, Wade experienced his first case of aspirations pneumonia, which remained a health concern for the rest of his life and led to ongoing challenges in his care.

Wade lived in Boise until 2020, when COVID-19 prompted a move to Montana so he could spend more time outdoors and reduce exposure risks.  He moved to Hardin, MT, to live with his sister Sally.  He lived with Sally and her husband, Ross, for a year, bundling up in warm clothes and helping Ross with daily chores.  They shared many good times together.  Wade spent winters working outside and watching his favorite shows, including Happy Days, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Gunsmoke.  Wade also was devoted fan of John Wayne, whom he always referred to as George Washington McLintock.  He enjoyed watching old Westerns and the Grit channel was his favorite channel.

Wade loved music and knew the words to many classic country songs.  He would always sing along when local musicians would come to play at Long Term Care.  His favorites included songs by Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash.

Wade lived life as though he still lived in a time before his accident.  While he struggled with short-term memory, he remembered the names of his teachers and friends and family with remarkable clarity.  He loved sharing stories from his earlier years and, despite speech difficulties from long-term medication use, he told many humorous and memorable stories.

After living with Wade’s sister for a year in Hardin, Wade’s health needs became more demanding and as his care needs increased, it was determined that long-term care was the best option.  In 2021, Wade made his home at Big Horn Memorial Hospital’s Long-Term Care Facility.  He truly considered this his home and made many friends among the residents and the staff.

As Wade aged, his health challenges became more frequent, including several hospitalizations for aspirations pneumonia.  Time and again, Wade showed his characteristic strength and determination and fought his way back from some serious health issues.  On March 24th, however, Wade’s condition suddenly worsened, and he passed peacefully at his “home” under the care of his hospital family.  His passing is a devastating loss to his loved ones and to those who cared for him over the past four and a half years.

Wade’s family cannot fully express their gratitude for the compassionate care he received.  The staff made a meaningful difference in his life, and he, in turn, touched many others. Everyone who met Wade in Hardin recognized what a special person he was and always asked about him.  He will be deeply missed.

Wade was preceded in death by his parents, Les and June Kamm; grandparents Herman and Nora Rosenberg, and Harry and Jennie Kamm; aunts Velma and Roberta Kamm and Mildred Simpson; uncles Sonny and James Rosenberg; cousins Chris and Craig Rosenberg and Erik Kamm; and nephews Casey Carrico.

He is survived by his siblings Susan Carrico, Sally (Ross) Alexander, Shari Kamm, Scott (Sherri) Kamm, Syndie (Brain) Freeman, and Brett (Kelli) Kamm; nieces Heather (Bryan) Klein, Andrea (Brooks) Quaintance, Whisper (Cody) Kelly, Lacey (Donovan) Wind, Gabrielle Kamm, Hanna Kamm, and Kaci Rae Kamm; nephews Chase (Melissa) Fisher, Ty (Whitney) Fisher, Garth (Janet) Davis, Harlin (Mindi) Carrico, Rowdy (Allyson) Alexander, and Koty (Randi Rae) Kamm; cousins Joe Rosenberg, Brad Rosenberg, Mark Rosenberg, Gayle Rosenberg, Shelly Carey, Hoot Simpson, Terry Simpson, Laura Maydahl and Mark Maydahl. And many loving extended family members.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Wade on April 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Bullis Family Center.

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