Van graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor of science, and from Purdue University with a PhD in Genetics. He worked on the staff of the University of Illinois from 1963 thru 1965. He worked for the USDA Lab in Charleston, S.C., he then ran the USDA lab at Lane, Oklahoma. He retired in 1997, and moved to Baytown in 2001, to spend time with his family, and watching his grandson grow. He was loving, caring, and kind. Van enjoyed going to church at St. Marks Methodist Church.
He is survived by his brother Carlton Wann; Sister in law Mary Jo Wann; daughter Vivian Leigh Gibson and her husband Philip Gibson; grandson Mattison Monroe Gibson; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Van is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Max and Ralph, and his wife Joyce Nadine Sawyer.
A visitation will be held Monday July 13, 2020 from 10-11 a.m. at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rolingbrook Dr, Baytown TX 77521. A graveside service is to follow at Earthman Memory Gardens Cemetery, 8624 Garth Rd, Baytown, TX 77521.
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