Byron Marshall Vance

Published 9:00 am Thursday, January 14, 2016

Byron Marshall Vance, 70, of Lake Park, Ga., passed away at his residence on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016. He was born on Aug. 20, 1945 in Philadelphia, Pa. to the late Rice Barr Vance and Catherine Barton Vance. Mr. Vance served as a volunteer lifeguard at Jacksonville Beach, Fla., and he received a letter of accolade from President Richard Nixon for saving a life. He was a Vietnam veteran, having served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and retired as a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army Reserves. His career ended in the field of law enforcement as a correctional officer with the state of Florida. Mr. Vance was a member of the Theatre Guild Valdosta and appeared in numerous plays, and he received awards for many of his performances. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Mr. Vance is survived by his wife, Nancy (Lange) Redfern-Vance of Lake Park; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann Paige Vance Rogers (Terry) of Alpharetta; two step sons and daughters-in-law, Patrick Stephen Redfern (Jennifer) of Tallahassee, Fla. and William Edward Redfern, III (Laura) of Osceola, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Miles Graham Rogers and Collier Benfield Rogers, both of Alpharetta, Hunter Douglas Redfern and Connor Edward Redfern, both of Tallahassee, Fla.; Jennifer Lynne Redfern, Peggy Ann Redfern, Taryn Janae Hoadley, and Morgan Alissa Hoadley, all of Osceola, Iowa; mother-in-law, Jeanne Lange, of Penney Farms, Fla.; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary Barr Winklejohn (Steve) of Johns Creek; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Steven Karl Lange (Hannelore), of Berlin, Germany, Ga.; three nieces, Sandi Simon Martinez and Patty Simon Martenson, both of Atlanta; Sandra Gabriela Lange, of Hanover, Germany; and a nephew, Bill Simon, of Pittsburgh, Pa.

As per his wishes, Mr. Vance will be cremated. His memorial service will take place on March 5, 2016 at 9 a.m. at the American Red Cross Lifesaving Station, Jacksonville Beach, Fla. followed by a burial at sea. 

Sympathy may be expressed online at www.musicfuneralservices.com. — Music Funeral Services/Azaela Crematory, Valdosta, is serving the Vance family.