James Vance

1930 - 2017

VANCE

James Vance ( Jim) beloved husband of Dolores B. Vance (Dee) who preceded him in death and devoted Father of James J. Vance (Jim) and his wife Heather Galbaugh Vance and Grandson Parker Napier, also survived by his brother Daniel Vance of Rocky River, OH and Nephew Bill Vance and Niece Cherrie died November 27, 2017. Jim was born in Cleveland, OH May 20, 1930. He graduated from John Marshall High School where he lettered in wrestling, twice reaching the state finals. After high school he was drafted into the Korean War from 1951-1952. While serving on the battlefront he was promoted to Sergeant and decorated with the two Bronze Stars. Like many from his era he did not comment on his service, except to say he was proudest of his Combat Infantrymen's Badge. After the army, he went to Baldwin Wallace College. He graduated in only two years Cum Laude and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. His greatest collegiate accomplishment was meeting Dolores B. Doyle on a blind date: a lifelong romance blossomed. He began his finance career in 1956 at Republic Steel Corporation in Cleveland in the Treasury Department starting out in the Cashier's cage. The following year he married Dolores Vance and they settled in Fairview Park a suburb of Cleveland. While at Republic Steel, he also attended Cleveland State University Law School, graduating in 1960 Magna Cum Laude first in his class and first in the Ohio Bar Exam results. He excelled at finance and in only 7 years was promoted in 1964 to Assistant Treasurer and Assistant to the President of Republic Steel, the youngest officer in the company's history. During this time he worked with Alan Greenspan, later Federal Reserve Chairman, who at the time was the economist for the company. They remained in contact thereafter. In 1968 he accepted the role of VP & Treasurer of Addressograph-Multigraph relocating to Chagrin Falls, OH. In 1972, he relocated with family to Cincinnati and Indian Hill which he always considered his home, living on Wyman Lane for 41 years. He accepted the position of Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Cincinnati Milacron. Next he was Senior Vice President and Vice Chairman of Dayton Walther Corporation from 1977-1987. After the purchase of Dayton Walther by Varity Corporation he became Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and General Counsel of Varity Corporation, headquartered in Toronto at the time a Fortune 100 Company. He remained until his retirement in 1990. An article in the Cincinnati Post on his retirement commented on the fact he had two million frequent flyer miles when he retired. He would serve on numerous corporate boards including, Citation Co., Ameritool Corp, General Automation Inc., Min-Cer (S.A.) Mexico, Massey-Ferguson Corporation and Kelsey Hayes Corporation. He was also recognized in Who's Who's editions for America, Finance, Law and World. Civically, he served as Vice Chairman of the United Appeal Cleveland 1959, and Chaired the Finance Committee of the Cleveland YMCA. He was also a member of Camargo Racquet Club, Kenwood Country Club, Metropolitan Club and The University Club of Cincinnati. Jim was always an avid sportsman with a lifelong passion for tennis. He played tennis with his wife and son as well as doubles with his friends. Throughout his life he retained his wrestling discipline for fitness, getting up every morning for calisthenics even before running shoes and the fitness craze. Up until the onset of his illness he still swam every morning at 5:30am at The Kenwood by Senior Star where he moved after the death of his wife. He enjoyed the community and friendship at the Kenwood Senior Star, and friendship eating nightly with the same group of buddies. He will be remembered by those who knew him for his quick wit, passion for reading and learning, and love of politics and finance. He will be dearly missed by family and friends. A private ceremony will be held with family on his interment at Gates of Heaven in Montgomery. In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be made to the Barrett Cancer Center 234 Goodman Avenue Cincinnati, OH, Christ Hospital Foundation available online or St. Elizabeth Hospice 1 Medical Village Drive Edgewood KY 41017.