Vancel (Vance) Wayne Kirkpatrick, 98 of Grant, passed away on June 13, 2022 at his home in Grant.
Vance was born December 20, 1923 in Sarben, Nebraska to Lorain Raymond and Alice Anne (McConnell), the fifth of six children. He graduated from Grant High School in 1941, where he excelled in athletics, garnering All-State football honors.
In 1941, he signed up for the United States Air Force where he was trained as a tail gunner on a B24 Liberator. He served in WWII in both France and Berlin until the war wound down in 1945.
On June 19, 1948, Vance married Esther Norman at Raton, New Mexico, and their union was blessed with five children: Sandra, Kelly, Janet, Brad, and Brian. The couple made their home southwest of Grant until the mid-1950s when they moved to Roswell, New Mexico, where Vance worked as a business agent. In 1962, the family moved back to Grant and Vance finished building their home near his parents while working as a brick mason. He went on to start his own business, Kirkpatrick Masonry, while farming and ranching. Esther preceded Vance in death in 2005.
In 2006, Vance married Barbara Ray in Corpus Christi, Texas, and the couple spent the next 16 years together living in Grant.
Vance was a member of the VFW and American Legion, the Methodist Church and attended the Grant Evangelical Free Church.
In his retirement years, Vance loved to play golf, especially with his sons, when he got the chance. Despite the significant strain he endured on his body, especially over this last six months, Vance always seemed to carry a smile on his face and a glimmer in his eye. He is remembered and deeply loved by his many friends in Nebraska, Ohio, and Illinois. Vance will be missed by family and friends alike.
In addition to his first wife, Vance was also preceded in death by his daughter, Sandra Neis; son, Kelly Kirkpatrick; and siblings, Glen, Melvin, Vernon Kirkpatrick, and Thelma Moser.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Kirkpatrick of Grant; sister, Carol Burnham of Omaha; children, Janet (Larry) of Annapolis, Maryland, Brad (Ann) of Madrid, Brian (Linda) of Plainfield, Illinois; son-in-law, Al Neis (Beth) of Twinsburg, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Anne of Grant; 16 grandchildren, Kirk, Kim, Melissa, Jason, Aaron, Mitchell, Gina, Michael, Sarah, Leah, Nina, Jarius, Zane, Grayson, Shannon, and Stephanie; 26 great-grandchildren; two step-children, Tracey and John; and three step-grandchildren, Brittney, Josh, and John, three great-grandchildren.
A memorial has been established in Vance's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.
A private family graveside service will be held July 16, 2022. Inurnment will be in the Grant Fairview Cemetery.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.
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