Bobby J Vance

Bobby Jack Vance, age 75, passed away on Sunday, October 21, 2012, in Kingsport, after an extended illness. Mr. Vance resided in Kingsport most of his life. He graduated from Sullivan High School in 1956, where he played football. Mr. Vance was a member of Gate City United Methodist Church. He proudly served as a military police officer in the United States Army, as well as the Army Reserves. Mr. Vance worked with his father in his family's guttering business and went on to work for Orkin and Tennessee Eastman Chemical Company. He was a plumber by trade, and also worked in iron and metal, having helped build the Ft. Henry Mall. He was a member of the Masonic Temple 688 of Kingsport. Bobby and his family were members of the United Street Van Club where they enjoyed many day trips, overnight and weekend camping trips. His job was to make the biscuits. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, and most of all, spending time with his family. He never met a stranger and enjoyed making everyone laugh. Many knew him as Papaw or Papaw Hippie.

Mr. Vance was preceded in death by his parents Charles Taylor and Della Mae (Hagie) Vance; his brother and sister-in-law, James Robert (J.R.) and Wanda Madeline (Carr) Vance; a son-in-law, William “Jenner” Johnson IV ,along with several aunts and uncles.

Bobby Jack is survived by his loving wife and amazing caregiver of 54 years, Illionia “Jo” Cole Vance; three loving daughters and son-in-laws: Darla and Fred Cope, Lisa (Johnson) and Matt Young and Regina (Carr) and Kevin Gallatin; grandchildren: Cathy Dianne Cope, Jeremy Carr and wife Krystal, Aleisha Johnson and Josh Stevenson and Bo Carr; great grandchildren: Taylor McCracken, Max Cope, Matthew Carr and Maleia Stevenson; niece, Cathy McDaniel and husband Bob; nephew, Paul Vance along with several very close cousins and a special son-in-law, Shannon Carr.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Betzy C. Elifrits Warren and Rev. J. W. Bentley, officiating. Interment will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in East Lawn Memorial Park. Everyone is asked to assemble in the funeral home chapel by 12:30 p.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bo Carr, Jeremy Carr, Josh Stevenson, Wesley Dunn, David Knupp and Shannon Carr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Live Foundation- Cirrhosis, 39 Broadway, Suite 2700,New York, New York, 10006 or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA, 22312/

Please visit www.eastlawnkingsport.com to leave a condolence for the family. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park is in charge of the arrangements and is honored to serve the Vance family.