John Michael Vance, loving husband, father and grandfather, born September 2, 1945, passed away on December 16. Born in Dallas, he graduated from Jesuit High School in 1963, the last class of the “old school” on Oak Lawn. He graduated from North Texas State University in 1967. He had a 33 year career at Binks Manufacturing working in Sales and Marketing ultimately retiring from Sysco Food Services in 2010. He met his wife, Catherine, at the Blackout in Dallas. Catherine was “dropped” at the time. Mike told her to get “undropped”…and the rest is history. Preceded in death by his parents, Rosalie and Rayborn Vance; brother Ray Vance and sister Mary Alice Maher. Survived by his wife Catherine of 44 years; his son, Michael and wife Maureen; daughter, Stephanie; siblings Carl Vance, Jodie Vance and Cissy Klement; grandchildren: Henry, Katie, Anne Marie and Cameron; and all of his nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. Inducted into the Jesuit Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 for his baseball prowess, Mike coached baseball from T-Ball through AAA for the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce. He was the smartest coach on the field and made you believe that you were better than you were. He was a consummate storyteller and a master of impressions. He will be dearly missed. The Rosary will be prayed on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, December 21 at 10:00 am, both at St. Monica Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Jesuit College Prep or Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, in the name of Mike Vance.
