Louis Gene Vance

Louis Gene Vance, 67, one of God's Fisher's of Men passed into the presence of God on Saturday January 29, 2011. He was surrounded by his family as he passed into eternity. At his side was Vivian his wife of forty-five years and his children Paul, Jeff, and Vanessa. Also present were daughters-in-law Betty, Michele, and son-in-law Jason Pipoly and his six grandchildren Matthew, Patrick, Jaclyn, Kathryn, Hayden, and Meredith.

Louis worked at Bill Miller Barbecue for forty-four years. As an executive for the company, he hired, developed, and trained management. His love for the restaurant business was infectious and inspirational for all of his co-workers. He deeply loved those he worked with and continuously pushed them to excel in all they undertook. Louis and Vivian became partners in Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, Inc. in 1975.

Louis has been a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church since 1979. He was an active member in the Catholic Church's evangelization efforts. His kindness and generosity extended to diverse ministries such as St. Peter-St. Joseph Children's Home, Guadalupe Catholic Radio Network, Catholic Charities, the Cordi-Marian Sisters, the Incarnate Word Retirement Center, and the Pilgrim Center of Hope.

Louis and his wife also generously supported the effort to restore San Antonio's historic Mission churches. However his greatest passion was fishing for the Lord through the ACTS community. As a Fisher of Men, he began his work with ACTS in 2001. After numerous retreats throughout the decade in San Antonio, Louis helped lead ACTS to Boston, New Mexico, and Virginia. He was also privileged to be a part of the Bexar County Jail ACTS Retreats as well as the ACTS Recovery Retreats in Kerrville.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation had a strong advocate and supporter in Louis. Following the diagnosis of his granddaughter's juvenile diabetes in 2002, Louis worked to raise money for and awareness of the disease and to find a cure.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 31 at 5 P.M. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church.

VIGIL SERVICE

MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2011

7:00 P.M.

ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

MASS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2011

10:00 A.M.

ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

1602 THOUSAND OAKS

Interment will follow at Cordi-Marian Resurrection Cemetery.

Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, in Louis' memory can be made to Cordi-Marian Retreat Center at 11624 W FM 471, San Antonio, TX 78253 or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at 8700 Crownhill Suite 407, San Antonio, Texas 78209.