Vance Steven Chavez

Vance recently passed away from a short but heroic battle against metastatic lung cancer. Vance never smoked. The first mention of cancer was August 31st, 2017. Having lived a healthy strong life with no major health problems, he, his family and friends were in shock.

Vance was born in Manhattan, New York. Spent his childhood there, New Jersey and Havana, Cuba. His father was transferred there when he was 9 years old. He attended an American school where half of the day all subjects were in English and at noon all subjects were in Spanish. Vance was truly fluent in Spanish much to the surprise of many people.

At the time of the revolution in Cuba, his family left Cuba settled in Miami, Florida. He graduated Miami Central High school in 1966, attended Florida Tech and and was pursued by the draft so he enlisted in the US Army in September 1969. Eventually he was transferred to Fort Carson, Colorado where he fell in love with our state.

After earning his BS in Economics at Bethany College, a private college, in West Virginia, Vance returned to Colorado where he eventually worked as a stock broker, and a Financial Advisor with several companies but then as an Independent Advisor with his own company. He retired August 31st after 38 years in the business.

Vance and Jilonne, his wife, were together for 35 years. He loved to travel and they visited over 70 countries over the many years. The only continent he didn't get to was Antarctica. He still hoped to travel there but the aggressive disease cut that dream short.

Vance is preceded in death by both of his parents.

Vance is survived by his wife, Jilonne, his daughter, Rebecca, her husband Paul and his grandson, Kellan. Also surviving are his sisters, Rayna, Jacqui, and Patricia and their spouses, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His Celebration of Life will be held at the Bear Dance Golf Club, November 30th at 1pm. The family invites guests for food and soft drinks immediately after the service.

Flowers can be sent to the Olinger Andrews chapel or in lieu of flowers donations to the American Cancer Society are appreciated. Lets help to conquer cancer.