Lawrence T. Vance
June 25, 1928 –
Lawrence T. (“Larry”) Vance, husband of Debra Elliott Vance, who had been a very active Sun City Center resident since 2010, passed away at Sun City Center’s Hospice House, on Dec. 29, 2017.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
This Friday, June 15, 2018, at 10 a.m., there will be a committal service with military honors for Larry Vance at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 S.R. 72 (Clark Road), Sarasota, FL 34241. The entrance is about 5 miles east of the I-75 Clark Road exit, Exit 205. For those wishing to attend, please arrive at the Sarasota National Cemetery’s Public Information Building closer to 9:30 a.m.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Larry enlisted in the U.S. Navy’s Naval Aviation College Program (later referred to as “Flying Midshipmen” Program), when he graduated high school, just after World War II was over.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He was one of the 2,100 or so aspiring Naval Aviators who successfully completed their flight training and earned their gold wings. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Larry flew several carrier-borne fighter-jets, including F4U-4 Corsairs, F8F Bearcats, as well as carrier-based nuclear bombers, “The Atomic<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Neptunes” and North American’s AJ-1 and AJ-2 Savages. He subsequently was a North American Aviation test pilot and Field Service Representative/Liaison Officer with the U.S. Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet stationed at Port Lyautey in Morocco.
In civilian life, Larry was involved in architectural products marketing and design, being awarded 15 patents related to large commercial skylights and curtain walls. Larry was a problem-solver, creating the means to allow an architect’s vision to become a reality. He worked on many iconic buildings in New England and the Mid-Atlantic area, including the New Wing of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. where Larry worked with architect I. M. Pei.
Larry’s final resting place will be very close to the gorgeous amphitheater at the heart of Sarasota National Cemetery, with its open-space frame and soaring skylight.
Larry was born June 25, 1928, in Dayton, Ky., the only child of Shelby Brown Vance and Margaret (Atzel) Vance. He grew up in Kentucky and across the river in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Withrow High School in Cincinnati, Ohio and played violin in Cincinnati’s Junior Symphony. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Larry was predeceased by his parents and his first wife Faith Marjorie (Highcove) Vance. He is survived by his second wife Debra Elliott Vance and children: Debra Roulleau, Lawrence T. (Deborah) Vance, Jr., Brian (Linda) Vance, Allen Eric Vance, Donovan (Jackie) Dwyer, and Jessica Dwyer, eight grandchildren: Nikita, Barbara, Kelsey, Jamie, Laura, Ian, Sara, Ruby, and four great-grandchildren.
Later this year, at a date and time still to be determined, there will be a Celebration of Life for Larry Vance at Boca Ciega Yacht Club in Gulfport, Fla. Larry and Debra had been active members of BCYC since 1992. They each served as BCYC Officers, volunteered at BCYC’s Sailing School, and Larry was awarded Life Membership there.
This Friday, June 15, 2018, at 10 a.m., there will be a committal service with military honors for Larry Vance at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 S.R. 72 (Clark Road), Sarasota, FL 34241. The entrance is about 5 miles east of the I-75 Clark Road exit, Exit 205. For those wishing to attend, please arrive at the Sarasota National Cemetery’s Public Information Building closer to 9:30 a.m.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Larry enlisted in the U.S. Navy’s Naval Aviation College Program (later referred to as “Flying Midshipmen” Program), when he graduated high school, just after World War II was over.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He was one of the 2,100 or so aspiring Naval Aviators who successfully completed their flight training and earned their gold wings. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Larry flew several carrier-borne fighter-jets, including F4U-4 Corsairs, F8F Bearcats, as well as carrier-based nuclear bombers, “The Atomic<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Neptunes” and North American’s AJ-1 and AJ-2 Savages. He subsequently was a North American Aviation test pilot and Field Service Representative/Liaison Officer with the U.S. Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet stationed at Port Lyautey in Morocco.
In civilian life, Larry was involved in architectural products marketing and design, being awarded 15 patents related to large commercial skylights and curtain walls. Larry was a problem-solver, creating the means to allow an architect’s vision to become a reality. He worked on many iconic buildings in New England and the Mid-Atlantic area, including the New Wing of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. where Larry worked with architect I. M. Pei.
Larry’s final resting place will be very close to the gorgeous amphitheater at the heart of Sarasota National Cemetery, with its open-space frame and soaring skylight.
Larry was born June 25, 1928, in Dayton, Ky., the only child of Shelby Brown Vance and Margaret (Atzel) Vance. He grew up in Kentucky and across the river in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Withrow High School in Cincinnati, Ohio and played violin in Cincinnati’s Junior Symphony. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>
Larry was predeceased by his parents and his first wife Faith Marjorie (Highcove) Vance. He is survived by his second wife Debra Elliott Vance and children: Debra Roulleau, Lawrence T. (Deborah) Vance, Jr., Brian (Linda) Vance, Allen Eric Vance, Donovan (Jackie) Dwyer, and Jessica Dwyer, eight grandchildren: Nikita, Barbara, Kelsey, Jamie, Laura, Ian, Sara, Ruby, and four great-grandchildren.
Later this year, at a date and time still to be determined, there will be a Celebration of Life for Larry Vance at Boca Ciega Yacht Club in Gulfport, Fla. Larry and Debra had been active members of BCYC since 1992. They each served as BCYC Officers, volunteered at BCYC’s Sailing School, and Larry was awarded Life Membership there.