February 1, 1922 – October 10, 2023

Wade M. Vance passed on October 10, 2023 in Alvin, Texas. He was born February 1, 1922 in Johnson City, Tennessee to Nineveh and Della Pyatt Vance. Wade was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Omar, Scott, Wayne, Lucy, Beatrice, Ann and Myrtle. He is survived by his wife, Jean, daughters, Cathy Vance and Susan Bennett (Mark}, three grandchildren, Lauren A. Sevilla (Matthew} and their children, Asa and Elias Wade; Elise O'Rourke (Josh} and their children, Quinlan Vance and Alden James; Jared Simmons (Carissa} and their children, Jack and Emma. Wade is also survived by nephews Dennis Vance, Russell Walker, Roy Vance, niece Rosalie Walker Odem, and niece Jane Vance Mack.

Wade attended school in Johnson City, Tennessee and graduated from Science Hill High School in 1941 and that year was employed as an apprentice pattern maker by the Charleston, S. C. Naval Shipyard. In October 1942 he joined the U.S. Army Air Corp and served as a Flight Line Technician for three years during WWII. When he was discharged, he moved to Los Angeles, California and spent five years with Northrop Aircraft Corporation. While living in Los Angeles he joined the Naval Reserve Unit and was called to Active duty during the Korean War. He served in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Davisville, Rhode Island. In 1951 he returned to Tennessee and worked for Carbide and Carbon Chemical Corporation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. In 1952, Wade met and married Jean Little and moved to Tullahoma, Tennessee where he was employed by Aro, Incorporated. In 1963, Wade accepted a position with NASA Space Center, in Houston, where he retired after 35 years of service.

Wade was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Alvin, Texas where he served as Elder on the Building and Grounds Committee and served as a Trustee. Wade played golf and was an avid sports fan. During his retirement years Wade was involved in the restoration of the Marguerite Rogers House Museum doing small projects for the Museum. Wade enjoyed his exercise classes at the "Y" and read and studied ways to stay healthy. Woodworking was a hobby for Wade, and he gave his family gifts of clocks, plant stands and small shelves.

A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Wade M. Vance will be held November 4, 2023, at 10:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, 302 S. Johnson St., Alvin, Texas 77511 with Rev. C.O. Magee officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to the Brazoria County Alzheimer's Association, First Presbyterian Church or to the Alvin Museum Society.