Vance Darroll Corbett Jr.

Vance was born on August 2, 1935 in Long Branch, New Jersey and attended University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.

Vance Corbett was an intelligent and talented man. He built a church in New Jersey and a subdivision in Oldsmar, Florida. He was an avid fan of country music. Vance had a terrific sense of humor and was a quintessential jokester. He had an outgoing personality and enjoyed talking to people.

Vance was born and raised in New Jersey. In his early twenties, he moved to Florida where he met his future wife, Jane Blount. Early in their marriage, Vance and his family lived in Tampa, Gainesville, and Jacksonville, Florida. While living in Tampa, Vance’s wife Jane was offered a scholarship to the University of Florida to get her Master’s Degree. He gave up his job as a general contractor to move his family to Gainesville, so she could attend the university.

Vance was a sports fan. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and the Cardinals football team. He was also an exceptional bowler and received numerous trophies while in the league. Notably, Vance also bowled a perfect 300 game. Vance also enjoyed fishing, especially deep sea fishing. Later, when the family moved to VA, he coached Little League baseball and football for his son’s teams.

Vance was a member of Fairfax United Methodist Church. Vance was active in the church and joined the Methodist men. He helped the church secure and sell bonds for the financing of the Church’s new organ. Vance was always willing to help others whenever he could.

Vance had a successful sales career working for Marlite Division of Masonite Corp. and later sold signs for local commercial businesses. Vance was a general contractor for the building of his house. He was a skilled brick layer, carpenter, and tile cutter. He also put in the flooring, completed the siding and painted his home. Vance’s wife, Jane worked in the school system and they became good friends with Janet and Bill, a couple they knew from her work. Together, the four of them traveled on many trips during the summer breaks. Their travels included cruises and tours of Egypt, Morocco, China, Argentina, Peru, Russia, Italy, Germany, Vienna, Spain, and Mexico. Vance and Jane had a good relationship with their long-time neighbors in Burke.

Vance had diabetes for over 50 years which led to the partial amputation of his right foot. But Vance, being the good natured and funny person that he was, did not let this get him down, and referred to himself as stumpy. He was savvy enough to ensure an extra dose of insulin would allow him to enjoy ice cream or a little dessert after a good meal!

Vance also enjoyed working on his cars until he was no longer able to do so. One day, while working in the garage under his car, he was unable to stand up. He realized something was wrong. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with myositis, an autoimmune disease affecting the muscles. Once again, Vance endured this challenge with all his strength. He fought to the very end to be as self-reliant as possible.

Ultimately Vance became homebound, during which time he became an avid reader. At last count, he had read over 300 books. He loved Tom Clancy, John Grisham, Harlan Coben, Robert Ludlum and David Baldacci, among others.

When he was not reading, he worked on Sudoku. He was extremely patient; no matter how difficult, he didn’t give up until he solved it.

Vance loved his family and always wanted the best for them. He cared for his youngest son when he suffered from difficult bouts of asthma. Vance would help his children with their homework. He was proud of his children and took pride in their educational and professional accomplishments. He looked for ways to make his family happy and often surprised them with presents or a special family outing to sporting events or vacations. He taught them to put others before themselves and to always value family. His grandchildren, James and Elin brought him great joy.

Vance loved his wife Jane and always worried about her health and happiness. He always wanted the best for his wife and went out of his way to try to make her happy and to make her life easier. Vance was also close with his wife’s family and loved them very much.

We are blessed to have known him, loved him and to have been loved by him. We are all deeply saddened by his passing, but Vance did not fear his own mortality; instead, he accepted that the Lord will call us all someday and that there was no fighting it. Vance lived a wonderful 85 years and we all wish that he could have lived longer. However, he will live on in the hearts and minds of his family and the other people that knew him. He will live through his wife, children, and grandchildren for they would not be the people that they are today without the gift of Vance’s life. We are immensely sad, but will cherish his memories and honor him with the life that we live. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Jane Corbett; sons, Joseph Confoy (Joan) Derek Corbett (Hilary), his niece, Pamela Carr (Tom), nephew Herb Clann (Liz); grandnephew, Thomas Carr and grandniece, Erin Rice (Dan)and Confoy grandchildren James and Elin Confoy; sisters Claire Corbett of Ridgefield park, NJ and Selma Gibson (Bill) of Kerrville, TX.

Vance’s mother, Selma Corbett of Spotswood, NJ, his sister Joan, his brother Gary, and his niece Sherry preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:

Johns Hopkin Myositis Center

Mason F Lord Building, Center Town Suite358

Baltimore 21224