Fred Ellis Vann

Born October 20, 1917, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Mr. Vann was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and lived most of his life there. After graduating from Woodlawn High School, Mr. Vann attended Auburn University where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1939.

After completing his education, Mr. Vann returned to Birmingham and joined Stockham Valves and Fittings as an engineer. When the United States joined its allies in World War II,

Mr. Vann served his country in the United States Navy as an Engineering Officer at the U.S. Gun Factory in Washington DC.

After completing his military service, he returned to Birmingham, Alabama, where he continued his professional career with Stockham Valves and Fittings where he worked for 42 years. At the time of his retirement in 1980, he served as Superintendent of Quality Control for the company. While at Stockham, Mr. Vann served on numerous national standards committees that developed specifications and standards for the valves and fittings industry. He was a Registered Professional Engineer and also a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham teaching Engineering Drawing.

He also participated in many civic endeavors including service to the City of Mountain Brook as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, and later as a member and President of the City Council for the City of Mountain Brook.

Mr. Vann was a longtime member of Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook, Alabama where he served on the Administrative Board for many years and in numerous other capacities.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Ellis Vann, and Hallie Fossett Vann, and his grandson, Fred Ellis Vann Whitt. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary Diamond Vann: three daughters , Melinda Vann Whitt of Birmingham, Alabama, Ellen Vann Rodgers of Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Gail Vann Venters of Miami, Florida; eight grandchildren Trey Whitt, Mindy Whitt Reed, Carrie Whitt Carlos, Dalton Ferguson Marshall , Alan Ferguson, Cory Rodgers Irby, Kevin Rodgers, and Molly Venters; eight great grandchildren, Morgan Whitt, Blaine Whitt, Hudson Reed, Harrison Reed, Kindal Irby, Julian Irby, Jackson Rodgers, and Ella Reid Rodgers.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in Mr. Vann’s name to Canterbury Methodist Church, 350 Overbrook Road, Mountain Brook, Alabama 35213.

A graveside service will be held at Southern Heritage Cemetery at 10AM on Saturday, July 20, 2013, with Drew Clayton, Minister of Canterbury Methodist Church. The family will be available for visitation after the ceremony.