Vance Brown, USAF Retired

Vance Brown, age 97 1/2, a WWII veteran and longtime resident of Biloxi, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 13, 2015 in Tyler, TX. Vance was born in Bells Mills, AL, the 11th child of John and Lillian Brown. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps during WW II, keeping the engines of B24’s working and also acting as tail gunner. After the war, he continued to serve in the United States Air Force as an airplane mechanic, crew chief, flight engineer, and electronics instructor, traveling with his family around the nation and the world. He came to Keesler AFB and Biloxi in 1955 where he retired after 30 years of dedicated service to our country. He was a long time member of J T Leggett Memorial United Methodist Church, the Masons, and the Shriners. Vance was a kind and loving man who will be greatly missed by many. He was a man of great character, integrity, and compassion and a true gentleman. His sense of humor, the twinkle in his eyes, his kindness and his loving care for family and friends will long be remembered. Vance and his “Vance-isms” as some called his favorite sayings and quotes, will live on in the fond memories of all who were fortunate enough to know him. Vance was preceded in death by Feriba Moye Brown, his loving and beloved wife of 57 years, his parents and 10 siblings. He is survived by his loving daughters and their spouses: Linda and Roland Pringle of Houston, TX, and Alexis and Doug Hogue of Tyler, TX; 5 grandchildren: Sylvia Hogue Martin(Jimmy), Jason Pringle (Yumi), Blair Hogue (Holly), Heather Pringle Reece (Jerry), and Darin Hogue; and 10 great-grandchildren: Nicholas and Lacey Martin, Erik Pringle, Samantha, Amanda, Miranda, and Wendy Reece, and Caden, Rylan, and Owen Hogue as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives , extended families and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Vance’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or Heart to Heart Hospice, Tyler, TX. The family wishes to express a special “thank you” to Heart to Heart Hospice for the exemplary care our father received while under their care. The caring hearts and professionalism exhibited by all who came in contact with him and all of us was outstanding. A service of celebration of his life will be held Monday, March 23, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 2511 Pass Road, in Biloxi where friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Internment will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors.