It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of John McGregor Vance II of Eureka on October 11, 2026 at the age of 85. He was a direct descendant of the local Vance family of pioneers originating from Nova Scotia.
John was born to Laura Annie Vance and John McGregor Vance II on January 21, 1942 in Eureka. John retired from the Eureka Fire Department in 1985. Upon retirement he joined his wife Sharon at their business, Answering Service of Eureka. Five years later they purchased the old Sundquist Paint Store and Harris & Figuors properties in Henderson Center. He reached a proud professional milestone when he obtained his California State license to operate an alarm monitoring service, dedicated to keeping homes and business safe. In 2000 they moved their business to Harris and F changing the name to ASE Communications Center.
John spent 8 years as a board member for the local fire district. He was a past member of the Fire Districts Association of California, Eureka Chamber of Commerce Eureka, Southwest Rotary, Eureka Elks Lodge, California Alarm Association.
John and Sharon sold their business and retired June 30, 2014. They immediately started their bucket list, purchasing two papillon pups Tinkerbell and Odie. Then took their first cruise to Alaska with their good friends Jack and Connie Thompson and with a St Joseph hospital group.
He was a fixture at local car shows, where he loved swapping stories with fellow enthusiasts and talking shop with whoever stopped by to admire his ride. His ultimate pride and joy was his pristine 1937 Buick Special Coupe, a stunning classic. One of his favorite milestones was when his beautiful Buick took center stage three times earning first-place trophies in its category. For him the awards were wonderful, but the true joy was always found in the camaraderie of the community, the preservation of local history and sharing elegance of a bygone era with everyone who crossed his path.
He will always be remembered as a loving, devoted family man. He expressed his love and affection through constant, good natured teasing and always messing with you. To be the target of his playful mischief was of the highest compliment he could pay. It was to know you were deeply loved by him. He loved his family to the fullest and they loved him back. He will be forever in our hearts. John is survived by his wife and sidekick Sharon of 48 years.
Family
Brother: Harry P Vance
Sister: Patricia Briggs
Son: John M Vance IV (Tonia Hayden)
Stepdaughter: Shelly (Zane) MacDonald
Stepdaughter: Janet (Dale) Swanson
Grandchildren: Melissa Vance, Kristina (Zach) Morgan, John Vance V (Andrea), their mother Kathy Vance, Peyton, William, Courtney Pitzner, Sarah (Nathan) McCloud, Joshua (Sonia) Ketchum, Nichole Berg, Matthew Swanson, Landon (Randee) Stoner.
Great-grandchildren: Alexis Robletto, April, Tyler, Zachary McCloud, Trenton Vance-Baugh, Uriah, Isaiah, Luca Stoner, Makaila Dortch.
Great-great-grandson: Noah Ballew.
Several nieces and nephews.
Our family takes great comfort in knowing that a wonderful husband, dad, stepdad and grandpa is now reunited with his parents, John and Laura Vance; daughter, Wendy Vance Pitzner; sister, Nancy Vance Sundberg.
We wish to thank Melissa McKenzie MD, Laura Hall, NP, Redwood R & R and Hospice for all of their kindness and care.
At John’s request no funeral service. Immediate Cremation Sanders Funeral Home. A private family celebration of life in Trinidad at a later date.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Dorothy Schmidt’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.