Wade David Warthen

Wade David Warthen, 59, of Littleton, CO passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

Wade was from Illinois and lived in Joliet and Kewanee during his childhood. While attending Kewanee High School, he had the opportunity to live in Switzerland as an exchange student through AFS, serve as president of the science and AFS clubs, participate in student senate, and earn the rank of Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America program, which helped foster his deep love of nature that he carried with him into his adult years.

Wade led a successful career practicing law after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with both his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (1989) and Juris Doctorate (1992). He was an Atius, Sachem, and Senior 100 honorary, Mortar Board honor society member, the president of Delta Upsilon fraternity, and an instructor of business law in his time as an Illini.

Wade’s career ultimately led their family to settle in Denver, where he found his niche practicing real estate law. He became a loyal member of NAIOP Colorado, serving on the board of directors, and earned various awards, such as 5280 Magazine’s Top Lawyers (2023) and NAIOP’s Colorado Chapter Member of the Year (2014). Despite his achievements, Wade never forgot to give back, and acted as a fundraiser for the Denver Area Council Boy Scouts of America and donated his time volunteering at the National Sports Center for the Disabled as a ski instructor.

Wade loved to stay active and could often be found enjoying the great outdoors through biking, skiing, or fishing. These are the activities he loved to fill his free time with, unless the Illinois football or basketball team was playing; cheering on the Illini obviously took precedent. Wade became an avid Denver Broncos fan as well over his 25 years of living in Colorado.

He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Amy; their daughter, Emily; his parents, Chuck and Judy Warthen; his brothers Warren (Diane) Warthen and Wyatt (Terra) Warthen; and 11 nieces and nephews and their families.

A visitation style celebration of life will take place on Friday, September 11, 2026 from 2-4:30 pm at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, Colorado 80227

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to University of Illinois Chapter of Delta Upsilon. Please follow this link to donate. 

 https://giving.gofundme.com/campaign/769942/donate