Charles Terry Vance
Obituary September 24th, 2023
Charles “Chuck” Terry Vance, CDR USN Ret. sadly passed away September 24th, 2023 at HCA Florida Ocala hospital. Chuck Vance was born January 24th, 1941, in Washington DC. to parents Joseph Fife Vance and Agnes Cordelia Terry.
Chuck is survived by his wife Marjorie; his 3 sons and 8 grandchildren; Joseph and his wife Joan with their sons Marcial and Brett; Terry and his wife Terelle with their children Gavin, Maggie, and Kate; and Michael with his wife Elena and their children Connor, Xavier, and Sarah; Marjorie’s daughter Rebecca with her husband David and their son Hayden. Chuck was previously married to Margaret Jane Briggs Vance for 30 years until her passing in 1999.
Chuck graduated from Albemarle High School in Charlottesville, VA. He went on to attend Washington and Lee University and graduated from American University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He joined the United States Navy in 1965 and would serve honorably for 21 years, retiring at the rank of Commander in 1986. Throughout his career in the Navy, he served on several ships and sailed all over the world. His final tour at sea was as the Executive Officer of the U.S.S. AG153, Compass Island, out of Charleston S.C. Chuck was particularly proud to be a founding “plank owner” member of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (R.D.J.T.F) out of MacDill Air Force Base Tampa, FL – the foundation to what is now known as U.S. Central Command for the U.S. Armed Forces. Chuck would later go on to work for Progressive Corp, Securities America, Inc. and finally retired from the Insurance institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS).
Chuck maintained a loyal and longtime friendship with his Phi Delta Theta fraternity brothers as well as childhood friends from his early days in Charlottesville VA. He loved being a part of Jesuit High School in Tampa, FL, where his 3 sons graduated. He was a member of the Dad’s Club, a past President for the “Night to Remember Fundraiser”, and an avid supporter for 40 years of Jesuit High School. Chuck was very proud of all his grandchildren. He loved to spend time playing and watching golf, he enjoyed cheering on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but his true football love was always the Washington Redskins. Chuck was a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and shipmate. He was strong in his convictions but quick to praise and if you were lucky enough to be his friend, you know he would do anything for you. We will miss him dearly, but we will honor him by living his family creed “Faith to Duty”. God bless you Dad, we love you.
Chuck wanted very simple services. There will be a mass in his name at Tampa Jesuit High School on Oct 15th. A small gathering for friends and family will be held in Citrus County, FL and he will be buried in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington D.C. In lieu of flowers, if you would like, please consider making a donation to the American Heart and Stroke Association (www.heart.org).