Calvin F. Vance

He expired on Sunday, June 9, 2013. His parents were Robert Edward and Anna M. Vance (Farnsworth-Walser). In 1939 he immigrated to Mesa, Arizona and lived with his grandparents for two years. Afterwards, his parents came to the U.S. He played Varsity football for Mesa High School through his junior year, at which time he was drafted into the Marine Corps. After boot camp he was assigned to a Marine Depot in San Francisco. While on leave he married his high school sweetheart, (Owana) Jean Vance on May 26, 1946. He was then sent to the naval air station in Corpus Christi Texas, and from there he was shipped to Okinawa and served as an MP.

He was discharged in 1947. In 1947 he found employment with The Department of Agriculture in Mexico as a livestock inspector on the mission to eradicate the Hoof and Mouth disease. His first assignment was Zihuatanejo, Guerrero (which later became the resort of Ixtapa). This was an all horseback district as the few roads were primitive and usable only during the dry seasons. He also worked the district of Tecpan and Petetatlan in the state of Guerrero. In 1949 he was Injured in an argument with a mule, and transferred to Zitacuaro, Michoacan, an all vehicle (no horse) district. An inspector was stoned to death by irate ranchers in Jilotepec, in the state of Mexico, and he was sent to replace him. He had no problem getting along with the ranchers. After six months he resigned because of the death of his father, and returned to the US.

In March 1952 he joined the Arizona Highway Patrol, serving in Holbrook, Benson, Superior and Sierra Vista, and then in 1969 he was moved to Phoenix. He retired in 1975 and served as Chief of Police in Show Low for 2 years. He resigned and went to work for Arizona Weights and Measures where he was promoted to Chief Enforcement Officer. He retired for the last time in 1992. Calvin expired at 4:21 AM on June 9, 2013, at HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY - Gardiner Home. Calvin is survived by two sons, Calvin T. Vance and Jeffry B. Vance, two grandsons, Johnathon E. Vance and Daniel B. Vance, and two great-granddaughters, Xochitl E. Vance and Madeline M. Vance. Visitation from 9 - 10 am with services at 10 am at A. L. Moore Grimshaw 710 W. Bethany Home Road Phoenix. He will be interred at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, 2300 W. Van Buren in Phoenix. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Cal's name to: HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY -Gardiner home, 1522 W. Myrtle Ave., Phoenix AZ 85021-7939. www.hov.org/donation