Johnny Mack Vance

He idolized the late author Hunter S. Thompson and approached life in much the same way—always chasing the next horizon with a grin, a story, and a stubborn refusal to play by anyone’s rules but his own. He carried a sharp wit, a huge heart, and a wild streak that frustrated some, delighted many, and left no one unchanged.

Born on March 4, 1979, in Orlando, Florida, Johnny approached life with a mixture of brilliance and chaos. After graduating high school in 1997, he joined the United States Marine Corps, serving as a Harrier mechanic in Marine Attack Squadron 223 (VMA-223), known as the “Bulldogs,” at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina—a role that demanded skill, precision, and grit, qualities he carried naturally. Following his military service, Johnny built a long and respected career in aviation maintenance. He worked first for ExpressJet and later for Southwest Airlines, where he continued doing what he did best: keeping aircraft safely in the sky with the same focus and confidence he brought to everything he touched.

He is survived by his former wife, Teresa Vance, with whom he shared 24 years of marriage, and their cherished son, Johnny Mack Vance, Jr. He is also survived by his grandmother, Jeanne Bertels; his loving parents, Fred and Frances Vance; his sister, Angela Eubanks; and several treasured aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A private family gathering will be held in Acme, Washington, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, to fulfill Johnny’s final wish for his ashes to be scattered in the South Fork Nooksack River. A celebration of Johnny’s life will take place in Blountville, Tennessee, on Saturday, June 6, 2026, and is open to friends and family. Additionally, Johnny’s ashes will also be scattered in the Tennessee River near Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee—a place that held deep meaning for him as a lifelong Tennessee Volunteers football fan. The exact date will be shared when confirmed. Please message the family for details if you wish to attend.

We will share stories, raise a glass, and remember him not for the battles he fought, but for the unforgettable, unrepeatable spark he brought into the world—and into our lives.