Vance Garrett Neece, 87, passed away Saturday, February 17, 2024. A memorial service will be held on April 6, 2024 at 2:00pm at Tabernacle Methodist Church on Liberty Road in Greensboro, where he was a member. The family will receive friends immediately following in the church fellowship hall.

Vance was born April 6, 1936, in Greensboro, NC to Howard Richard and Nora Mearle Garrett Neece. He went to Gillespie Elementary and Jr. High School. He was a graduate of Curry High School and attended Guilford College. As Sargent First Class, he served in the NC National Guard, 30th Division Headquarters Company from 1957-1969.

As a young man, he was Boy Scout Master of Troop 7 and later was a member of the General Greene Boy Scout Council.

As Merchandise Manager for Belk Department Store from 1957 to 1965, he was a member of the Greensboro Junior Chamber of Commerce. He also traveled as a kitchen cabinetry salesman for over 28 years.

In 1957, Vance became a 3rd Degree Master Mason and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. He joined the Oasis Shrine in 1959, and became a member of the Greensboro (or Oriental) Shrine Club where he was a member of the Oriental Band (1995) and was appointed a veteran band member in 2014.

In 1967 he became the second youngest president of the Greensboro (Oriental) Shrine Club where he served on numerous committees and served as president for five terms.

As a Shriner, he served as chairman of the Oasis Public Relations Committee. He was also a member of the Oasis Membership Committee serving as chairman the fifth year. Vance served as a Trustee for Oasis for four years. In 2009, he received his 50-year certificate as a life member of Oasis Shriners. He was a member of the Royal Order of Jesters-Charlotte Court No. 109.

He joined the Moose Lodge in 1976. He served as administrator for two years. He was a former member of the Julian Lions Club and the Greensboro Elks Lodge #602. From 1976-1978 he served as President of the Nathanael Greene Elementary School PTA.

Vance lived in Greensboro 27 years prior to marrying Mary Alan Boozer. They built their home on his farm in Julian. He enjoyed living in the country and spending leisure time at Lake Norman. Family was important to him and he loved time spent with his daughters, grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary; his daughters, Frankie Davis (Morgan) of Sandwich, MA and Teri Wilson of Julian, NC; his grandchildren, Jaynie Davis McGrath (Joe), Frani Davis Denny (James), Lauren Wilson Fitzgerald (James) and Michael Garrett Wilson; and his five great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions can be made to: Tabernacle Methodist Church building fund; or to Oasis Shriners Hospital for Children C/O Oasis Shriners 604 Doug Mayes Place Charlotte, NC 28262.