Vance Sandy, Sr.

Vance W. Sandy, Sr., of Neodesha, KS, died Tuesday March 8, 2011 at his home after a long battle with COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at the PenwellGabel Loran Fawcett Chapel in Neodesha, with John Chastain, Chaplain of Hospice Care of Kansas officiating. Born in Sharon, KS, June 25, 1928 to Elbert Theodore and Mabel Inez Sandy, Vance grew up farming. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1947 1950 where a part of Vances duty was to play in the Army Band. He was a gifted musician with a natural ability to play by ear, read and write music and sing. Vance was a talented guitarist and also played the piano, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, trumpet and saxophone. He played Taps at many military funerals. He loved classic country and big band music and passed on his love of music and talent to his children. Vance married Wanda L White in 1950 and later divorced. They had two children, Steven Wayne Sandy and Julie Ann Sandy. He worked at many different things during his life. He was VicePresident for a mortgage company at age 24. He tried out and made the Chicago Cubs minors as a pitcher but injured his rotator cuff at practice which ended his baseball career. Not to be slowed down, Vance owned and operated a transmission shop in Wichita, KS then followed his dream to move to Anchorage, AK in 1965. He studied the construction career field and trained to be a general contractor. He owned and operated his own construction company. He studied and became a real estate agent and broker. He built numerous buildings, including hospitals, condos, commercial and residential buildings and homes. Vance built the first Wendys restaurant in Alaska. Vance enjoyed living in Alaskas rugged environment. He loved to fish, hunt and fly his airplane. As a pilot he did everything from crop dusting in Kansas to bush piloting in Alaska. Vance later met and married Patricia Ann Bolles Ash in 1971. They had a son, Vance Wayne Sandy, Jr. Together they raised James Edward Ash, Traci Lynne Ash, Steven Edgar Ash and Vance Wayne Sandy, Jr. Later, Vance, Sr. adopted Jim, Traci and Steven Edgar. In 1976 the family moved to Moline, KS to be with Vance, Srs parents. They bought an International Harvester Farm Implement store and a small farm. Vance continued to locate between Alaska and Kansas. Vance had been a traffic court judge, a 32nd degree Mason and was a member of the Philadelphia Church of God. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and children son Steven Wayne Sandy and wife Doris Anchorage, AK, daughter Julie Ann Saugstad Anchorage, AK, son Jim Edward Sandy Sumner, WA, daughter Traci Lynne Swanwick and husband Duane Pittsburg, KS, son Steven Edgar Sandy and wife Laura Colorado Springs, CO, and son Vance Wayne Sandy, Jr. and wife Michelle. His grandchildren Jon Sandy Boise, ID, Jennifer Sandy Anchorage, AK, Bristol Bailey Anchorage, AK, Lacy Saugstad Anchorage, AK, Sage Saugstad Anchorage, AK, Ashley Sandy Colorado Springs, CO, Jessica Gillespie Swanwick Pittsburg, KS, Kacie Sandy Colorado Springs, CO, Maleah Sandy Girard, KS and Vance Wayne Sandy III Trey Walnut, KS and 3 great grand daughters, sisters Geraldine Flynn Derby, KS and Sharon Sellars Texas City, TX and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Vance was well loved by his family and friends and will be missed very much. The family has suggested memorials to Hospice Care of Kansas or to the Shriner39s Hospital or to St. Judes Children39s Hospital and memorials can be left in care of the funeral home.