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2017
John Azel Nance, 87, of Marion, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 22, 2017, at Forrest Community Church, Forrest, NM conducted by Sherman Martin with family burial service immediately following at Beevers Cemetery in Forrest, NM. Lunch to follow at the Forrest Community Fire Station. All are welcome to stay for lunch.
John was born February 15, 1930, in Forrest, NM, the son of George William "Bill" and Fannie (Hinton) Nance. On August 11, 1951, in Forrest, NM, he was united in marriage to Mavis Hill. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. John worked as an elementary principal for 30 years in Lovington, NM. On his ranch in NM, John owned and operated a Black Angus cow/calf operation. He was a member of the Christ Community United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge, both in Marion, Iowa. For 20 years he was a member of Boys Scouts of America, serving as a Scout Master and later as a Board member. He also was a lifetime member of the Lions Club.
John and Mavis were Nomads, traveling all over the United States for this Methodist organization. Through the years John enjoyed boating, water sports, and he adored children, often being called the "Pied-piper". Traveling in their motorhome, John and Mavis visited 48 states.
Left to cherish loving memories of John are his wife of nearly 66 years, Mavis Nance; daughter, Susan (Joe) Briley of Anamosa, Iowa; sister, Mary Margaret Sours of Forrest, NM; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews including Charlene (Stanley) Pinkston, Paul Sours, Drew (Jennifer) Sours, Lawrence (Nelda) Sours, Doug (Glenda) Sours, Judy (Rick) Chandler and Darrell Nance.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael John Nance; daughter, Kyla DeAnn Nance-Marrs; brother, George Edward "Bill" Nance, brother-in-law Charlie Sours and nephew Tommy Sours.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made in John's memory to: The Ranches, 6209 Hendrix Road, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87110 or at www.theranches.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Mavis, I am so sorry for the loss to our and your family. Blessings to all of you.
Linda Newton Miner
Linda Miner
August 12, 2017
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