Vance Kirkpatrick

VANCEL "VANCE" KIRKPATRICK, 98, of Grant, passed away Monday, June 13, 2022, at his home in Grant.

Vance was born December 20, 1923, at Sarben, Nebraska, to Loren Ray and Alice Anne (McConnell) Kirkpatrick, the fifth of six children. He graduated from Grant High School with the class of 1941, where he excelled in athletics, garnering All-State football honors.

In 1941, Vance entered the US Air Force, where he was trained as a tail gunner on the B-17 Flying Fortress. Vance served during WWII in both France and Germany until the winding down of the war in 1945.

On June 19, 1948, Vance married Esther Norman at Raton, NM, 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, NM, where Vance worked as a Masonry apprentice. The couple returned to Grant in 1962 until Vance's work took them to Illinois for a few years prior to returning to Grant. Vance built a home near his parents, where he ranched, farmed, raised Beefalo, and operated his masonry company. Esther preceded Vance in death in 2005.

In 2006, Vance married Barbara Ray in Corpus Christi, TX, and the couple resided in Grant for the next 16 years.

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 year, Vance always seemed to carry a smile on his face and a glimmer in his eye. He is remembered and deeply loved by MANY friends in Nebraska, Ohio, and Illinois. Vance will be missed by many!

In addition to his first wife, Vance was also preceded in death by his daughter, Sandra Lynn Neis; son, Kelly Kirkpatrick; and siblings, Glen, Melvin, Vernon Kirkpatrick, and Thelma Moser.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Kirkpatrick of Grant; children, Janet (Larry) of Annapolis, MD, Brad (Ann) of Madrid, Brian (Linda) of Plainfield, IL, son-in-law, Al Neis of Twinsburg, OH; 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; 11 great-grandchildren and two by marriage. Two step-children, Tracey (Don) of Grant, Bryon (Sharon) of MO, three step-grandchildren, Brittney, Josh, and John, and eight step-great-grandchildren, along with other family members and friends.

A memorial has been established in Vance's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.

Private family graveside services will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be in the Grant Fairview Cemetery. An open house, hosted at Ann Kirkpatrick's home (75520 Road 322, Grant, NE), will be on Saturday, from 3 pm until 5 pm.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.