James William Vance
James William Vance, Marshfield, was born June 30, 1943 in Marshfield, MO to Herman and Mary Arlene (Silkey) Vance. He departed this life on July 17, 2019 in his home at the age of 76.
James retired from the city of Marshfield after 38 years as street superintendent. James enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and watching his grandchildren play ball. He was a member of Timber Ridge Baptist Church.
James was preceded in death by his brothers, George Vance and Bill Vestal; his mother and stepfather, Mary Arlene and Joe Vestal; his father, Herman Vance; and his sister, Mary Bass.
He is survived by his wife, Jackie, of the home; his children, Curtis Vance and Kim, Marshfield, Kimberly Vance, Springfield, and Stefanie Fryman and Ray, Marshfield; his brothers, Bob Vestal and Debbie, Niangua, Jack Vestal and Jean, Marshfield, and Randy Vestal, Marshfield; Sisters, Shirley McAdams, and Harold, Iola, KS, Darlene Page, Conway, and Gladys Wheeler and Ron, Conway; one sister-in-law, Patsy Vestal, Marshfield; grandchildren, Ryan, Erica, Shania, Tanner, Hunter, Hailey, and Hannah; great-grandchildren, Conner, Carson, Bentley, Wylie and Ezekiel.
James William Vance appreciated the small and simple things in life because he knew the value of them. He was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, and friend. He always gave his best to his family. Everyone who had the privilige of knowing James was positively impacted by his life.
If you truly knew James, you know he knew no strangers. James would do anything for anyone. His heart was as big as he was! His definition of family stretched beyond the walls of his home. To James family was larger than that. Family was his immediate family, his church family, his baseball family, and all of his friends. He loved the Lord, he loved his family, he loved people, he loved his animals, and he loved life! He was fair and honest when dealing with others. Men with his work ethic, his character, and his dedication to his home and his family are rare today. Today we celebrate the love that James shared with so many. We celebrate the life of a man who knew Jesus Christ and loved like Jesus Christ. This world is a better place from how he lived his life. May we all learn something from the way James Vance lived his life – enjoy the simple things in life, work hard and take pride in your work, respect the land, love your family and truly love people.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 22, 2019 at Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., with interment following in Haymes Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-4 Sunday, July 21 in the funeral home.