Obituary of Kenneth Vance

Kenneth Jackson Vance, 94, of University Ave., Morgantown, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at his home.Kenneth was born in Kingwood, WV on May 26, 1916, the son of the late Joseph C. Vance and the late Gertrude Nina (Jackson) Vance.Survivors include his children, Cinda Ward Gatian of Morgantown and Robert J. Ward of Charlotte, NC six grandchildren, Kimberley Gatian Nicholas and spouse Brent Nicholas of Morgantown, Rick Gatian and spouse Cindy Gatian of Weston, FL, Rob Gatian and spouse Renee' Z. Gatian of Morgantown, Brad Gatian and spouse Rebecca Gatian of Hagerstown, MD, Angela Ward Lovelace and spouse Tres Lovelace of Matthews, NC and Paige Ward Hoffman and spouse Travis Hoffman of Red House, WV his great-grandchildren including Courtney Nicholas Fletcher and J.J. Nicholas both of Morgantown, Cameron, Connor and Carly Gatian all of Weston, FL, Jessica Stubbs Croyle and Woody Stubbs of Morgantown, Travis, Ashley, Amanda, Christina and Nick Gatian all of Hagerstown, MD, Jackson, Maddie and Mackenzie Lovelace all of Matthews, NC and Zoey and Grace Hoffman both of Red House, WV and one great-great-grandchild, Stryker Lee Loudin of Hagerstown, MD. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his lifelong friend, Dorothy Riggs Ward, and a daughter-in-law, Belinda K. Ward. Mr. Vance was an 86 year resident of Morgantown and was a member of the Spruce St. United Methodist Church. He spent his childhood in Kingwood and Point Pleasant, moving to Morgantown when he was eight years old. He was adopted by the Gatian family in 1956. In his younger years, Mr. Vance worked as a secretary at West Virginia University in many departments, which helped him attend law school there and eventually obtain his law degree. In fact, Mr. Vance finished law school for a second time in the early 1980âs after having all his courses re-audited as a means of a ârefresher course.âMr. Vance spent a portion of his life traveling all over the East Coast, playing with the Jimmy Flenniken Mason-Dixon Orchestra. He was a very gifted musician who played many wind instruments, but primarily concentrated on the Clarinet and Saxophone. He served as the secretary of the local Federation of Musicians Union from 1952-1999. He served on multiple civic committees and was also involved with the Wiles Hill Association. He was a huge supporter of the BOPARC Senior Center. Mr. Vanceâs wishes for cremation are being honored by his family.A Celebration of his life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 10th, 2010 at Spruce St. United Methodist Church with Reverend Dr. John E. Allen officiating. Inurnment will be held in the Bethel Cemetery alongside his family where Full Military Honors will be accorded at the graveside by VFW Post 548 and the WVANG Military Funeral Honors Detail, Camp Dawson, Kingwood, WV.0Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown is in charge of the arrangements.