Gordon A. Vance's Obituary
Gordon Allen Vance, age 87, of Spring Hill, Florida, passed away on April 3, 2026.
He was born July 26, 1938, in Marion, Indiana, and raised in Upland, where many knew him as “Butch.” He grew up in a close, hardworking Midwestern family, where responsibility, loyalty, and strong values were simply a way of life—something he carried with him throughout his life and passed on to his own family.
Gordon built his career in supervisory and leadership roles, first in factory settings and later overseeing facilities in hospitals, apartment communities, and eventually within the Pasco County school system. He consistently moved into positions of responsibility, earning them through his ability to lead, solve problems, and take ownership of whatever was in front of him.
At 28, while working out of town, Gordon was shot and lost his sight in one eye. The recovery was long and difficult, but he pushed through it and worked his way back so he could continue providing for his family. That determination and sense of responsibility stayed with him in everything he did.
in 1958, he married his true love, Anna May McCollum, and together they built a life that will reach 68 years of marriage this July. They began in Indiana, moved to Utah where they finished raising their older daughters, and eventually made their home in Florida. Along the way, they stayed active, traveled when they could, and made sure their family experienced more than just one place.
Gordon helped raise his daughters by example. He believed in working hard, continuing to learn, improving yourself, and taking care of your responsibilities. Those values carried forward into his children and grandchildren.
He was a lifelong sports fan—following Chicago and Cincinnati teams early on—and later became a dedicated Tampa Bay Rays fan after settling in Florida. He rarely missed a game on TV and especially enjoyed attending games with his daughter Lee and grandson Ryan.
He shared a close bond with his daughter Lori. They talked often and spent time together at dog shows, something they both enjoyed. Her sudden and unexpected passing in 2022 was a loss that deeply affected him.
Gordon was someone who stayed busy. He worked with his hands, built and fixed things, and there wasn’t much he couldn’t figure out. He enjoyed gardening, being outdoors, and spending time with his family.
He was also a lifelong dog lover and shared the last few years with his best buddy Benny, a Shih Tzu who was rarely far from his side.
In his later years, Gordon faced serious health challenges, including cancer, which he fought through more than once with the same determination that had defined his life.
He is survived by his wife, Anna May Vance; his daughters, Lee Vance, Leta Jo Warner (David), Lisa Abdelhadi (Mohammed); and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Ryan Vance (Lara) their children Addison and Gordon; Christy Vance; Jonathan Warner (Nicole) and their sons Calvin and Dane; Stephen Warner; Michelle (Ross) and her son Dylan; Qasem; Ashley (John) her son Garrett; and Amy (Joseph) and her children Ava and Luca.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lori Vance (2022); his parents, Earl Mitchell Vance and Margaret Criswell Vance; and his siblings, Earl “Professor” Vance, Norma Jean King, John Vance, Carlton (Carl) Vance, and Catherine Vance.
Gordon lived his life with a strong sense of responsibility—to his family, to his work, and to doing what was right. He loved his family deeply, valued time with them, and took pride in the life he built. He is very missed by his wife, family, and dog Benny. The world is better for having had him in it.
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