Elmer John Vance died at his home in Oak Harbor on July 6, 2014 at the age of 75, surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Binghamton, NY on December 13, 1938 to Elmer and Beulah Vance.

Elmer was raised in Poughkeepsie, NY and the Hudson Valley, NY. He quit school before graduation and enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician. His first duty station was Norfolk, VA and he would hitchhike every weekend to visit the love of his life Joyce Sarvis, who lived in New York. Elmer and Joyce were married in Newburgh, NY on November 30, 1958.

Elmer was transferred to Lakehurst, NJ and for the next three years was attached the Blimp Squadron ZW1. Sons Mark and Michael were born while he was stationed in Lakehurst. He was then transferred to Andrews Air Force Base, in Anacostia, VA, near Washington DC.

The Navy sent him to Millington, TN for A & B School, then to Hawaii for a brief stop, then finally to Moffett Field, CA. He served with VP-31, VP-9, VO-67, and VP-31. His two daughters, Robin and Julee, were born while at Moffett Field. Whidbey Island was his next stop and VAQ-136. Oak Harbor became the Vance family's new home port when they purchased a house there in 1972. Elmer’s last tour was unaccompanied to Moffett, where he retired in 1977. While on active duty, he was able to have both of his sons join him on a Tiger Cruise from Hawaii to San Diego on the USS Kitty Hawk. Twenty years later, Mark invited his dad as his guest for a Tiger Cruise while serving on the same carrier.

Elmer was not one to sit still when retired and he soon found work as a Security Officer at the Anacortes Refinery. From there he spent the next 16 years working for Mercury Services/Maytag at the NAS Whidbey Fuel Farm. While working, he also returned to school, receiving his AA Degree from Skagit Valley College in Welding and Auto Mechanics.

Elmer had a passion working with electronics. He became the ultimate expert on the Commodore 64 computer system. He also enjoyed building everything VW (from bugs to busses), mopeds, and motorcycles. He took many family camping trips to the East coast to visit family and all of his Navy buddies and their families. Elmer and Joyce were also foster parents to countless children for more than 20 years. They always had the doors to their home open to the children and Elmer had a soft spot for holding babies in his arms. Both Elmer and Joyce were active leaders in the First United Methodist Church congregation and Boy Scout program for many years. Elmer was active in the Walk to Eammaus community and attended Promise Keeper events.

Elmer is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joyce, and by four children and their spouses: Mark and Rose Vance of Oak Harbor, Michael and Norma Vance of Jacksonville, FL, Robin and Ken Rollins of Oak Harbor, and Julee and Chris Candazo of Bonney Lake, WA. Eleven grandchildren: Mark Jr., Matthew, Elizabeth, Melissa, Michael, John, Brian, Lauren, Anastacia and Gabrielle and six great grandchildren: Violet, Keith, Isabella, Anna, Lena, and Cooper. He was preceded in death by his parents and by one grandson Justin.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Oak Harbor at 11:00am Friday, July 18, 2014 with Rev. Dr. Dave Johnson officiating. In lieu of Flowers, memorial contribution may be made to the Help House Food Bank, 10091 SE Hathaway St, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Cremation was held, with Burial at Sea to follow, under the auspices of the U.S. Navy.

Friends and family are encouraged to visit Elmer’s page in the Book of Memories hosted at www.wallinfuneralhome.comto share memories and condolences.

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