Joe Shade, Jr. passed away on Sept. 29, 2020. Born November 9, 1958, he was the son of the late Mattie Louise (Bowen) and Joe Shade, Sr.

He was a 1977 graduate North Side High School. He received a basketball scholarship from Alabama A&M University and became a 1979 initiate of the Gamma Phi Chapter at Alabama as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He graduated with a B.S. in Science in Computer Science Technology with a Minor in Business Administration. 

He began his career as a Programmer Analyst with a strong passion for community involvement and served on several boards and committees of community based organizations, he was most known for his position as the Pontiac Youth Center Center Board of Directors. He established his own business in August 1995, ASK Shade Consulting and Professional Services. He established client contracts with non-for-profit organizations and for-profit businesses, some of which include the Fort Wayne Urban League. 

He is survived by his wife, Kim Shade; his two daughters, Sabra Shade and Arnetta Shade; three granddaughters, Sofia, Clara and Zoee,  two brothers, Timothy Shade and Anthony Shade; one sister, Joyce  Thomas; uncles, aunts and a host of other family members and friends.