Craig Eugene Vance

Craig E. Vance was born May 29, 1951 in Enid, OK to Donald and Floy (Craig) Vance and passed away January 4, 2022 in Chattanooga, TN in the home of his son.

He was a 1969 graduate of Enid High School and married Teresa Favreau on August 8, 1971. Following his graduation from Southwestern State University in 1973, he was commissioned as a U.S. Naval Officer.

During his 29-year career, he served on numerous ships in the Atlantic Fleet and was Commanding Officer of USS Elmer Montgomery (FF-1082). Craig served in several shore assignments including on the staffs of the Chief of Naval Operations and Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Commander, Second Fleet. During his service he earned a Master of Science degree from the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School and Federal Certifications as Chief Information Officer and Information Systems Security Professional from the National Defense University. He achieved the rank of Captain in 1995 and retired from active-duty January 1, 2002. His military honors include the Legion of Merit (2 awards) and the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing device and personal and unit awards.

A former Navy shipmate once made the observation that in his lifetime, Craig had upset more government bureaucrats and salespeople, raised more adrenaline levels, and generally created more havoc to everyone’s delight than anyone he had ever known; all with a great sense of sarcastic humor.

Upon his retirement from the Navy in 2002, he went into civilian life with the same vigor as he displayed in his Navy career. He served as member and then chairman of the Chesapeake, Va. Commission on Veterans Affairs. After returning to Enid in 2003, he quickly volunteered for local public service as a member of the Enid Public School Board, the Enid Vance Development Authority, and the Enid Park Board. Local recognition include the 2014 Enid High School “Pride of the Plainsmen Award” and the 2020 Woodring Wall of Honor Legacy Veteran of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.

Craig was an avid learner throughout his life. At age 53, he enrolled in the Autry Technology Center Construction Technology curriculum and won state and national honors in the SkillsUSA cabinetmaking competitions in 2005 and 2006. He also attended courses in welding and computer aided design. Additionally, he attended many culinary classes at various Oklahoma Tech Centers, mostly related to preparing chocolate dessert recipes.

Veterans were always near to Craig’s heart. He volunteered thousands of hours over 14 years as a Veteran’s Service Officer for Disabled American Veterans assisting veterans in obtaining the benefits they earned in military service. He was Chapter Commander for the Enid Chapter of DAV in 2009-2010, was State Commander for the Oklahoma DAV in 2014-2016, and served nationally as an Executive Board Member for the DAV National Commanders and Adjutants Association in 2016-2018. He was a vocal proponent of establishing a VA Community Based Clinic in Enid which he helped achieve in 2009 and which will soon be replaced by a VA staffed clinic.

He was preceded in death by his parents Don and Floy Vance.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa, of the home; his son, Morgan Vance (wife, Rose Zulliger); grandson, Miguel and granddaughter, Sadie of Chattanooga, TN; his daughter, Aubrey Keaough (husband, Garrett); and grandsons, Joshua and Benjamin of Kalona, IA; and his brother, Larry Vance (wife, Christine) of Wichita, KS.

Craig wished to acknowledge several valuable and lasting friendships he developed over his lifetime. From Enid schools: Charlene Pope, Mary Beth Hinderlighter, Lucy Fraser, Ted Robinson, Rick and Cindy Van Krevelen, and Keith Lea. From the Navy: Marty Janzcak, Gary Zwirschitz, Bob Heifner, Rick Town, Phil Cronk, Mick and Rebecca Wiser, Bruce Russell, members of the USS Elmer Montgomery and USS Wainwright Veterans Associations, and Tin Can Sailors of every era. From retirement life: Danny Oliver, Don Eck, DeWayne Coldwell, and Tom Hight.

Craig’s greatest regret was not being around to watch his grandchildren grow into adulthood and not learning the true story behind the Oak Island Mystery that he has followed since reading the story published in a 1965 Reader’s Digest.

The family wishes to urge everyone to have an annual eye exam with eye dilation in order to aid in early detection of ocular melanoma, the rare and dastardly disease that caused Craig’s untimely death.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made through Anderson-Burris to the Northwest Oklahoma Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 66 of Enid; the Boy Scouts of America, Cimarron Council (Enid); or the Ocular Melanoma Research Foundation.

Fond memories, condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.advantagefranklin-strickland.com for the Vance family.