Gary Charles Vance

Gary Charles Vance of Fox Island, Washington, passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 84 following a long illness. He was born on May 11, 1940, in Vancouver, Washington, to the late Wesley and Lorainne Vance.

Gary grew up in Vancouver and graduated from Fort Vancouver High School in 1958. After serving in the National Guard, he pursued a career as an electronics engineer with Tektronix, where he contributed to the development of advanced medical electronics and held several patents for monitoring equipment. As retirement approached, he relocated from Portland to a waterfront home on the Puget Sound, where he spent his remaining years.

Beyond his professional achievements, Gary had a lifelong passion for design and engineering. One of his proudest accomplishments was designing and building a 26-foot sailboat named Windsong, which he launched in 1977. An avid sailor, he captained Windsong on family vacations and in sailboat races until selling the boat in 2015.

Gary also had a deep love for music and was a skilled sound engineer. He made numerous recordings of the organ and choir at First Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon, and produce a CD of organ and choral music. He regularly operated the sound systems at both First Presbyterian Church and Fox Island United Church of Christ for services, concerts, and events, often using equipment he selected or donated.

Gary is survived by his wife of 60 years, JoAnn; his sons, David (Laureen) and Brian (Lyda); his grandchildren, Corinne and Aaron; and his brother, Donald.

Celebrations of Gary's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 4, at Fox Island United Church of Christ in Washington and at 2:30 PM on Saturday, April 5, at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Oregon.