A Well Lived Life

Today we celebrate the life of Mr. Eugene Isaac Vance, Jr. He is the eldest of three sons born to the late Eugene Isaac Vance, Sr. and Vera Mae Vance in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 3, 1939. He departed this life, early in the morning, on January 6, 2021, in Dallas, Texas, where he dedicated his life to service and the uplifting of mankind.

Early Life and Military Service

During the Great Migration, Eugene moved from New Orleans, Louisiana to San Francisco, California along with his parents and middle brother, Isadore (Tony) where they joined his cousins the Tennysons. It was there his deep devotion to family and community was formulated.

He graduated from George Washington High School in 1957 and both he and Tony were was lettermen in Track and Field. Following graduation, Eugene enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. During his military career, Eugene served several years at the Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. He received an Honorable Discharge on August 20, 1963, as an Airman Second Class (E3) from Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Columbus Ohio. Eugene considered himself a life-long learner and continued his education after the military, receiving an undergraduate degree from the University of San Francisco in Business and Engineering, and later pursuing graduate studies in Theology at Southern Methodist University.

Professional Career

Eugene was fortunate to work alongside his father and younger brother, Rudyard at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco as a certified marine machinist all while going to school and working another part-time job. After graduation and in anticipation of the closing of the Naval Shipyard, Eugene accepted a position with the General Services Administration (GSA). His honesty and integrity would carry him far in his career which gave way to several promotions that took him to both Arizona and Texas. He worked as the buildings manager of the Earl Cabell Federal Building in Dallas and then was promoted to regional buildings inspector, responsible for all federal facilities in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Eugene was also on the recruitment team for GSA and focused his attention on HBCUs in Texas and Louisiana, specifically the engineering programs at Prairie View A & M University and Grambling State University, until his retirement in 1989.

Spiritual Life

The church was a focal point in Eugene's life since being christened as a baby at Ocelot Baptist Church in New Orleans. He was confirmed at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church under the leadership of Reverend Hamilton T. Boswell. As he pursued his Christian journey, Eugene embarked on the Walk to Emmaus, a highlight of his Christian faith experience as a man, enhancing his work in several congregations as he moved from place to place. His primary ministries were teaching and mentoring, serving as a Sunday School teacher to the High School Class and superintendent of the Sunday School. He made additional contributions as a member of the Church's Finance Committee, Administrative Board and even led Jones Memorial's renovation project, under the leadership of Reverends Booker Anderson and James McCray. After joining Wesley United Methodist Church, Eugene resumed his involvement as a high school Sunday School teacher and youth leader and on several church committees. In 1984, Eugene and his family moved to Dallas and joined St. Paul United Methodist Church and its choir. In 1992 he became a member of Hamilton Park United Methodist Church and served on its Pastor Parish Relations Committee, in the IB Foot Male Choir, and served as buildings manager.

Lifelong Love and Family

In 1963 he met the love of his life, Doris Ann Tross, while for him it was love at first sight, it took her a bit more convincing. They were married on September 26, 1964, at Macedonia Baptist Church in San Francisco, California. He was a protective husband and an involved father who encouraged his children to pursue their dreams and passions, but most of all, to be productive and involved members of the community. As a parent, he volunteered his time to chaperone for school dances, field days, served as an unofficial track coach, and even as vice president of the North Side PTA in DeSoto, Texas for a short time.

Community

While in Phoenix, Arizona he was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Delta Tau Lambda Chapter on May 25, 1979. When he relocated to Dallas, he joined the Xi Tau Lambda Chapter where he was an active member of the Scholarship Committee and the Sankofa Foundation of Dallas, Texas.

In addition to his loving parents, Eugene is preceded in death by his godfather Roland Vance, his middle brother, Tony I. Vance, and grandson, William E. Vance.

He leaves to cherish his memory his brother Rudyard J. Vance, Sr., (Karen) his wife of 56 years, Doris A. Vance, daughters Eugenia I. Vance and Felicia A. Vance Phillips (Lazerek), an adopted son, Shawn Paynemiller, II, grandson, Christian Spellen, granddaughter, Keyara Vance, great-granddaughters Serenity and Harmony Vance, godchildren, Kirk Davis, Wesley Henderson, and Camryn Reed, and a host of extended family.