Thomas "Gene" Vance

Thomas Gene Vance, 89, went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 8, 2022. Gene went to eternal rest peacefully at his home while surrounded by his family who loved him dearly.
Gene was born in Lipan, Texas to Edgar and Leta Blackwell Vance on March 16, 1933. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma where Gene lived for most of his younger life. After high school, Gene enrolled at The University of Oklahoma to study business. However, Gene’s education was put on hold when he joined the US Navy in 1952. In the Navy, Gene was a photographer aboard the USS Shangri-La Aircraft Carrier. He also had the very honorable duty as one of the Official Photographer for the Blue Angels Naval Air Demonstration Team. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy in 1956. Gene continued his education after the war at McNeese State University in 1957 where he met his future wife, Gladys Thibodeaux. Gene ultimately finished his collegiate education from the University of Texas at Arlington where he earned a Bachelor of Business Degree in Accounting. During Gene’s career he held high level accounting positions at Bell Helicopter International, Zider Zee Seafood Restaurants and Pancho’s Mexican Restaurants where he retired in 2006.
Gene and Gladys were married in 1958 and remained a loving couple for 64 beautiful years. After marriage they moved in 1959 from Lafayette, Louisiana to Fort Worth, Texas to begin a family. They have 3 loving daughters in Gladys Gavlak, Rene Duncan and Stephanie Hickfang. Those fine young ladies provided Gene and Gladys with 7 Grandchildren, Taylor Gavlak, Tara Gavlak, Savanna Howard, Shelby Hickfang, Kennadine Toppin, Lyssa Duncan and Shannon Duncan. They also have 2 Great Grandchildren in Nathaniel Toppin and Samantha Toppin. Gene was always a hero to them all. He was truly a Gentle Giant and cared very deeply for all in his family with a special place in his heart for the children. They all loved him dearly and will remember him fondly for the rest of their lives.
Gene’s great passion was photography, and he owned a photography business for some time. Gene was also a sports enthusiast and played competitive tennis from 7 years old until father time caught up to him at the grand age of 77! Gene’s love of sports continued on from there and if ever there was a game on that included a ball you could bet Gene would be watching it. While sports and photography were his “thing”, Gene was also an avid builder, painter, skier (water and snow), fisherman and outdoorsman. He even got in the ring to take on bloodless bull fighting back in the day. Gene was a true renaissance man. He truly lived a Full, God Fearing and Adventurous life.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Donald Vance

“On Friday, July 22, 2022 at 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm, a Live Stream of Gene's Rosary will be viewable here:
https://video.ibm.com/channel/DURgpAb2EXm