Obituary of Paul James Vance

July 7, 1936 – Raymond, Alberta

August 20, 2024 – Magrath, Alberta

Paul Vance of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the age of 88 years in Magrath, AB.

Paul James Vance was born July 7, 1936, to Byron and Jennie (nee Van Orman) Vance in Raymond, AB, on the Vance farm, one mile west of downtown, in the same house as his father (and many say the same bed). When he was three, his family moved from Raymond to Rosemary, AB, where he completed public school and farmed the land with his family. His highest earthly possessions were, and continue to be, his relationships with his family, especially his parents and brothers and sisters. Paul was the fourth oldest of nine children. His siblings are Richard (Reita Hetchler), John (Mary Zaugg), Hugh (Colleen Caldwell), Janeen (John Gough), Melvin (Heather Duncan), Peter (Karen Bailey), Maureen (Lynn Orr), and Linda White Olsen. 

During high school in Rosemary, he played basketball, football, and softball, competing in many boxing tournaments (perhaps because his mother said his brothers could only hit each other in the ring). Following graduation, and with a scholarship for perfect attendance, he attended Ricks College in Rexburg, then sold Rena Ware cookware, and did insulation of homes in Calgary. 

His love for the gospel of Jesus Christ drove him to be a missionary all of his days, but from 1956 to 1959 he served as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the South African Mission. Returning from the mission through Africa and Europe, his penchant for adventure and travel was ignited. When he returned to North America, he attended Kinman Business College in Spokane, Washington, working his way through school as an elevator operator and washing windows at the Poulson Building. After graduating with a Master of Accounting Degree in 1960, he attended Brigham Young University (BYU) to study accounting further.  

On New Year's Day of 1962, after eight years of on-and-off dating, he was finally engaged to Wanda Collet, then headed up to Yellowknife to sell Rena Ware to earn enough money to head to Australia on a working honeymoon. They were married for time and eternity in the Cardston, Alberta Temple on March 14, 1962, and then sailed off to Sydney. During their six-month honeymoon in Australia (which ended up lasting twenty years), Paul and Wanda had seven children, Collette (Chad Bailey), Stirling (Elizabeth Johnson), Mark (LaNita Danes), Jennifer Ann (deceased at birth), Bradley (Allison Dibble), Kristen, and Renée (Richard Clark). The family he co-created with Wanda was always his pride and joy. Today they are blessed with twenty grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren and counting.  

During their time in Australia, Paul sold Rena Ware, invested in real estate, and developed relationships with countless people who became encircled by his influence. He served as bishop twice and served in his church in many other capacities including Branch President, Elders Quorum President, High Council, Stake Mission President, Ward Mission Leader, Primary Teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and so on. Perhaps his most memorable call was when he was asked to lead the introduction of the Scouting program to the LDS Brisbane Stake. He had been involved in scouting since childhood and remained very active in the Boy Scouts, both in Queensland and Alberta. 

After returning to Canada, Paul participated in countless business and sales projects, but working with his family was always his greatest joy. He worked with his brothers in farming projects and real estate, and finally, he helped his wife Wanda run his brother Richard's fruit stand (Naturally the Fruit Stand), located on Stephen Avenue Mall outside the Hudson’s Bay Company store in downtown Calgary, while they served a mission in Samoa.

Poetry also became a passion of his in his later life, with his family and loved ones often being the recipient of a poem written lovingly by him, marking memorable events. Paul’s countless adventures through all the inhabited continents of the world could fill volumes, but his greatest treasures have always been helping the countless people he influenced along the way. His words of wisdom and willingness to help anyone at the drop of a hat will be his living memory that his posterity will always treasure and attempt to emulate

Funeral Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (5927 Tipton Rd NW, Calgary, AB) on Monday, August 26, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen's Park Cemetery (3219 - 4th Street, NW, Calgary, AB). Show your love and support to Paul's family by adding your name to Paul's Guest Book.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Vance’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted here.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Paul’s family here.

In living memory of Paul Vance, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.

Click to Sign the Video Guest Book and Watch Paul's Funeral Service