Richard Deming Vance passed away peacefully on May 14, 2019, surrounded by his immediate family, at the age of 76. Born in San Diego, CA on August 5, 1942, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Richard grew up in San Diego and attended Point Loma High School. He then attended Whittier College in the Los Angeles area. After graduating college, he entered the US Army Officers Candidate School and then served 11 years of active duty as an officer in the US Army. During active duty, he completed a master’s degree in Systems Management from Florida Institute of Technology. Upon being separated from active duty in 1978, Richard moved the family to the Houston area and spent the following 20 years working in a civilian job while serving in the Army Reserves in the 75th Maneuver Area Command (MAC), eventually retiring as a Colonel. He has received the following awards: Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Reserve Forces Medal (30 Year), Army Service Ribbon, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. As a civilian, Richard was employed by Duke Energy and Accretive Solutions, working in multiple Information Technology, Disaster Recovery, and IT auditing roles. He also served as an active member of the local ISACA and InfraGard chapters. Richard was a member of Second Baptist Church.
Richard was predeceased by his mother and father, Lois and Paul O. Vance Jr. He is survived by his wife, Jan, of 49 years, brother, Paul O. Vance III, son and daughter-in-law, David and Kim Vance, daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Mark Shelley and his 2 grandchildren, Tripp and Kinsey Shelley.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2019 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm with a funeral service held on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 10:00 am at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038. Committal service will take place on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 11:30 am at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038
