Clifford Wade Selman Jr.

Clifford Wade Selman, Jr., passed away Friday, February 6, 2026, at the age of 85. He was

born on August 4, 1940, in Mineral Wells, Texas. He was the eldest son of Clifford Wade

Selman, Sr. and lla Vern Selman (née Wright) and older brother to Charles Vernon Selman

and Eva Jane Selman. In 1945 the family moved from Texas to San Luis Obispo where they

lived for a few years. Shortly thereafter they moved to Woodland, CA, and finally landed in

Jackson in 1951.

Wade, as he was known, was a gifted athlete and dedicated student. He played both

offensive and defensive positions for the undefeated Jackson Tigers football team, winning

the state championship in 1957. He was named to the Jackson-lone-Argonaut Hall of

Fame. After graduation he took that talent to play for Monterey Bay City College, ultimately

following his coach to Pacific University (now known as UOP).

In 1961 at a pizza parlor near the UOP campus, he met and very quickly fell head over heels

in love with a beautiful, petite redhead, Margaret "Maggie" Van Zandt. They married and

had 3 children. 64 years later, they still held hands as if they were newlyweds. They were

completely devoted to each other.

Due to Wade's 35-year career with (ultimately) Suburban Propane, they spent the early

years of their marriage moving often, from Amador and Calaveras counties to the San

Bernardino Mountains, to Lancaster and finally back in Jackson in 1975, when he began

managing the local plant. After the company had major layoffs, in 1997, Wade quickly

pivoted, and opened his own business, Amador Propane, which he ran successfully for 10

years, ultimately retiring in 2007.

Wade felt a deep sense of connection to Amador County and the city of Jackson. He often

said it was "God's Country". He was a city council member for many years, serving as

Mayor for three terms. He championed the youth of the community as a school board

member. He was a lifetime member of the local Lyon's Club, for whom he spent many a hot

summer July day serving beer at the Amador County Fair. He furthered his community

service during his 57-plus years in the Masons, where he ultimately achieved the degree of

a Master Mason of the Amador Lodge #65. He received the Hiram Award in 1995 and the

Golden Veterans Award for Good Standing in 2021.

Wade is survived by his wife, Maggie, his sons Clifford Wade III (Mary) and Darek, his

daughter Jane Smith (Trent), grandchildren Clifford Wade Selman IV (Emily), Drew Selman,

Paige Smith (Javi Diaz), Teagan Smith and Evan Smith.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, February 20th at 12:00pm at Teresa's Place. In

lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice, or to the Parkinson's

Association.