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Larry R. Wade (born January 18, 1939) was an Oklahoman journalist, newspaper publisher/owner, and Chairman of the Board of Regents at the University of Oklahoma from 2004 until his death in 2011. He was also a prolific community activist and is responsible for numerous endowed scholarships at the University of Oklahoma.

Early life
Wade was born January 18, 1939 in Elk City, Oklahoma to Frances Loraine (Hart) and Paul R. Wade. He graduated from Elk City High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma in 1961. During his time at OU he was a member of the Pride of Oklahoma and served as the editor of The Oklahoma Daily, the university's independent, student-produced newspaper.

Career
Wade joined his father at the Elk City Daily News as co-publisher in 1966 and became the sole publisher upon his father's passing in 1972. He published hometown editorials almost daily, which was becoming a rarity at the time. This helped earn him the title of the "Most Prolific Writer in Oklahoma." Wade was inducted into the Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1981. He served as publisher until his death.

Philanthropy
Perhaps Wade's most lasting legacy was his philanthropy. Wade had an impact at a local scale by founding of the Elk City Education Foundation, where he raised $1,170,221 since its founding in 1989 to support local schools. Wade raised money on a larger scale in connection with the University of Oklahoma. He was an alumnus and avid sports fan, an endowed OU associate and member of the President's Associates, had received the OU Benefactor Award, lifetime member and served on the executive board of the OU Alumni Association, OU Journalism Alumni Association member.