Making the Best of Every Day
The interesting and impactful life of Dr. Wade O’Mary
Words by Mike Cordle | Image by Blakeney Clouse
It’s 8:00 a.m. on a Monday morning and Dr. Wade O’Mary pulls into the parking lot at his office. It’s been a painful weekend for his patients. Five are already waiting, as they are on many occasions.
Wade works from the same office where his father, Dr. Marcus O’Mary, established their practice in 1970. The O’Marys spent the first few years living in the office where he practiced—a building dating from 1910.
Dr. Wade’s day often begins at 8:00 a.m. but extends far after the closing 5:00 p.m. bell. His receptionist, Kylie Emberg, never turns patients away, even if they walk in at 4:55. Wade believes, “If you treat others the way you wish to be treated, and you are loyal to those who love and support you, and you live in faith, God will work in your life with best intentions for you.”
A graduate of Walker High School, Walker College, and Life University College of Chiropractic Medicine, Dr. Wade married Lisa Atkins from Carbon Hill—a recently retired 30-year veteran with Jasper City Schools. They have two daughters: Anna Prevost, wife of Dr. Mark Prevost II; and Sarah Roberts, wife of Dr. Martin Roberts of Jasper.
“Truly, I have been blessed beyond measure,” Dr. Wade says. “I have many fond memories of growing up in Jasper. I have parents who loved us, provided for us and encouraged us. I’ve been privileged to know many great people from this area who have been very good to us and to this practice.”
A life-long member of First Baptist Church, Dr. Wade accepted Christ during the ministry of Dr. Walter G. Nunn and was baptized while in the 5th grade. “Lots of fine people have been instrumental in my life,” he says. “Rev. Charles Powell (the community pastor), Winfred Sandlin, history professor at Walker College, Coach Fowler, Hershel Barton, and Judge Hugh Beaird are just a few I can name.”
Dr. Wade is no stranger to manual labor. With the help of his dad, he has owned, remodeled, and restored his chiropractic office and two other homes. During the restoration project of their 9th Avenue home, Wade found an original Prince Edward tobacco can and a copy of The Birmingham News from the 1920s. “Restoring the home has allowed it to be preserved for generations to come and to serve as a home for our girls, who were 8 and 12 when we first moved there,” he says.
An avid hunter, Dr. Wade’s prized trophy is an eight-point buck of the 150 class. He says he enjoys hunting because of the solitude of being outside in nature. He is a history lover, preferring to study WWII and the dedication and sacrifices of the men and women of America during that time, including his great-uncles. “I probably developed an interest in the war from watching Hogan’s Heroes as a kid growing up,” he says. “Two of my favorite places in the U.S. are the WWII Museum in New Orleans and the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. Everyone should visit those sites.”
Finally, Dr. Wade has a few words of advice for patients and readers alike. “Remember that the things you do in your youth, you pay for later in life. Be smart with your activities, limit stress, eat a reasonable diet and get exercise,” he says. “Also, be happy with who you are and make the best of every day that the Lord has blessed you with.” 78