Wade S. Ricks

Wade Stevens Ricks, a Waltham lawyer and prominent newspaper and television journalist in the 1980s and 1990s died Wednesday at his home. He was 67.

A Waltham resident since 1999, he worked for the Worcester Telegram as he pursued his long-time interest in law, earning his J.D. from Massachusetts School of Law in 2005. He served as a solo-practice attorney in Waltham ever since.

A 1976 graduate of University of Georgia Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Communication, Ricks worked at newspapers in Anderson, SC, Jackson, MS, Kansas City, MO, Cleveland, OH and Atlanta. He won numerous reporting accolades, including a 1981 George Polk Award for Regional Reporting.

Starting in 1991, he served as an assignment editor and later field producer for CNN in its Southeast Bureau. He was part of the Emmy-award-winning coverage of the 1996 Olympic Park Bombing.

Wade Stevens Ricks is survived by his wife of 33 years, Janet Kolodzy of Waltham; his sister, Ruth Hanna of Stone Mountain, GA, his nephew and his wife Kurt and Kari Hanna of Austin, TX; his sister-in-law and husband, Ruth and Joe Steinbrunner of Gilbert, AZ; his brother-in-law and wife, Carl and Terry Kolodzy of Lilburn, GA; and his brother-in-law and wife, Paul and Martha Kolodzy of Falls Church, VA.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Wade's life by gathering on Friday, October 29, 2021 in The Wine Room at The Stockyard Restaurant, 135 Market Street, Brighton, MA 02135 on Friday, October 29th from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Donations in his name can be made to The Red and Black Scholarship Fund
[ https://givebutter.com/red-and-black-wade-ricks-fund ]