Vance A. Baker had deep roots in Keya Paha County. While his grandparents, Harvey and Sally Shaw Baker settled in the Mills-Jamison area in the early years, Vance's parents, John and Bertha Smith Baker established their ranch home one mile west and one mile north of Burton. Vance, their fourth child, was born January 9, 1922 at the ranch where he was later baptized into the Christian faith.
Vance, with his siblings, grew to adulthood on the ranch where hard work and responsibility prevailed. For his first ten years of education, he attended the local school at Burton. He then graduated from Keya Paha County High School in 1939.
Shortly thereafter, Vance took over the management of the family ranch until March 18, 1944 when he enlisted for duty in the Army Air Corps. After basic training at Amarillo, Texas, cryptography school in Illinois and machine gun training in California, he and his unit, the 1377th Signal Company Wing, departed for Bombay, India.
After their arrival in February 1945, his company formed a convoy of loaded trucks, some with high explosives, and drove over the Ledo Burma Road to China. Vance saw duty with General Marshall's Peace team and witnessed Japanese planes landing to surrender to Allied Forces..
Vance was honorably discharged at Camp Beale, CA on June 27, 1946 with the rank of Sergeant, continuing in the Army Air Force Reserves until Dec. 14, 1952. Medals earned were the Sharpshooter 45 Pistol, China Offensive, China Defense, World War II Victory, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and the Good Conduct Medal.
After military service, Vance resumed management of the Baker Ranch until 1950 when he enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Four years later, he graduated with distinction from the College of Business Administration. As a student, he was President of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and President of Beta Gamma Sigma National Honorary Society.
Vance then took employment with Continental Oil Company, managing sales territories at several locations in Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa for 27 years, taking early retirement in 1981 (rather, he said, than be transferred to Hot Springs, Arkansas!)
On Sept. 26, 1964, Vance married Marilyn Painter Billings at the Methodist Church in Springview. Together, they raised and educated her three sons, Ron, Mark and David and their son, Blaine.
Following retirement, the buying and selling antique tractors, cars, petroleum collectibles and various miscellaneous items took up his time, doing business across the country as well as Canada and Europe. Vance liked to have auctions. His sons say after four or five big sales, he thought they ought to have just one more!
Vance was a huge promoter of Keya Paha County. He chaired the Keya Paha County Planning Commission for 23 years; was active in the Keya Paha County Activity Center; Keya Paha County Foundation and a 50-year member of the Springview United Methodist Church. He also had an active part in the erection of the Keya Paha County Veterans Memorial. He and Marilyn seldom missed an Alumni banquet; his last was in May 2019 as an honored 80-year graduate.
For the past two years, Vance and Marilyn have made their home at Cherry Hills Estates in Valentine. Vance was a favorite of staff and residents alike for his subtle humor, his interesting stories and insurmountable courage.
Vance celebrated his 98th birthday in January with a huge cake that he shared with family members and residents of Cherry Hills. Vance passed away on Feb.14, 2020 at the Cherry County Hospital.
Preceding in death were his parents, son Ron Billings, brothers Ray, Charles and Owen; sisters Gwen Fling, Evelyn Heiden and Oma Weston.
Vance is survived by his wife, Marilyn, brother Brad Baker; children, Sandy Billings and son, Coby and wife, Kim; Mark and Karen Billings and children, Brittany, Devin and wife, Jordan; David and Donna Billings and children, Tyson and friend, Taylor and Beau and fiance, Josie; Blaine Baker and children, Gabby, Carly and Jackson; great-grandchildren, Caden, Clay, Courtney, Kennedy, William, Danielle, Colton, Eleanore and Ezra.
Funeral service for Vance Baker age 98 of Valentine and formally of Springview will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19th at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Springview. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Springview. Visitation will be on Tuesday, Feb 18th at 2:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine. Mr. Baker passed away on Feb. 14th in Valentine.
Vance, with his siblings, grew to adulthood on the ranch where hard work and responsibility prevailed. For his first ten years of education, he attended the local school at Burton. He then graduated from Keya Paha County High School in 1939.
Shortly thereafter, Vance took over the management of the family ranch until March 18, 1944 when he enlisted for duty in the Army Air Corps. After basic training at Amarillo, Texas, cryptography school in Illinois and machine gun training in California, he and his unit, the 1377th Signal Company Wing, departed for Bombay, India.
After their arrival in February 1945, his company formed a convoy of loaded trucks, some with high explosives, and drove over the Ledo Burma Road to China. Vance saw duty with General Marshall's Peace team and witnessed Japanese planes landing to surrender to Allied Forces..
Vance was honorably discharged at Camp Beale, CA on June 27, 1946 with the rank of Sergeant, continuing in the Army Air Force Reserves until Dec. 14, 1952. Medals earned were the Sharpshooter 45 Pistol, China Offensive, China Defense, World War II Victory, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and the Good Conduct Medal.
After military service, Vance resumed management of the Baker Ranch until 1950 when he enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Four years later, he graduated with distinction from the College of Business Administration. As a student, he was President of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and President of Beta Gamma Sigma National Honorary Society.
Vance then took employment with Continental Oil Company, managing sales territories at several locations in Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa for 27 years, taking early retirement in 1981 (rather, he said, than be transferred to Hot Springs, Arkansas!)
On Sept. 26, 1964, Vance married Marilyn Painter Billings at the Methodist Church in Springview. Together, they raised and educated her three sons, Ron, Mark and David and their son, Blaine.
Following retirement, the buying and selling antique tractors, cars, petroleum collectibles and various miscellaneous items took up his time, doing business across the country as well as Canada and Europe. Vance liked to have auctions. His sons say after four or five big sales, he thought they ought to have just one more!
Vance was a huge promoter of Keya Paha County. He chaired the Keya Paha County Planning Commission for 23 years; was active in the Keya Paha County Activity Center; Keya Paha County Foundation and a 50-year member of the Springview United Methodist Church. He also had an active part in the erection of the Keya Paha County Veterans Memorial. He and Marilyn seldom missed an Alumni banquet; his last was in May 2019 as an honored 80-year graduate.
For the past two years, Vance and Marilyn have made their home at Cherry Hills Estates in Valentine. Vance was a favorite of staff and residents alike for his subtle humor, his interesting stories and insurmountable courage.
Vance celebrated his 98th birthday in January with a huge cake that he shared with family members and residents of Cherry Hills. Vance passed away on Feb.14, 2020 at the Cherry County Hospital.
Preceding in death were his parents, son Ron Billings, brothers Ray, Charles and Owen; sisters Gwen Fling, Evelyn Heiden and Oma Weston.
Vance is survived by his wife, Marilyn, brother Brad Baker; children, Sandy Billings and son, Coby and wife, Kim; Mark and Karen Billings and children, Brittany, Devin and wife, Jordan; David and Donna Billings and children, Tyson and friend, Taylor and Beau and fiance, Josie; Blaine Baker and children, Gabby, Carly and Jackson; great-grandchildren, Caden, Clay, Courtney, Kennedy, William, Danielle, Colton, Eleanore and Ezra.
Funeral service for Vance Baker age 98 of Valentine and formally of Springview will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19th at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Springview. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Springview. Visitation will be on Tuesday, Feb 18th at 2:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine. Mr. Baker passed away on Feb. 14th in Valentine.
Vance A. Baker had deep roots in Keya Paha County. While his grandparents, Harvey and Sally Shaw Baker settled in the Mills-Jamison area in the early years, Vance's parents, John and Bertha Smith Baker established their ranch home one mile west and one mile north of Burton. Vance, their fourth child, was born January 9, 1922 at the ranch where he was later baptized into the Christian faith.
Vance, with his siblings, grew to adulthood on the ranch where hard work and responsibility prevailed. For his first ten years of education, he attended the local school at Burton. He then graduated from Keya Paha County High School in 1939.
Shortly thereafter, Vance took over the management of the family ranch until March 18, 1944 when he enlisted for duty in the Army Air Corps. After basic training at Amarillo, Texas, cryptography school in Illinois and machine gun training in California, he and his unit, the 1377th Signal Company Wing, departed for Bombay, India.
After their arrival in February 1945, his company formed a convoy of loaded trucks, some with high explosives, and drove over the Ledo Burma Road to China. Vance saw duty with General Marshall's Peace team and witnessed Japanese planes landing to surrender to Allied Forces..
Vance was honorably discharged at Camp Beale, CA on June 27, 1946 with the rank of Sergeant, continuing in the Army Air Force Reserves until Dec. 14, 1952. Medals earned were the Sharpshooter 45 Pistol, China Offensive, China Defense, World War II Victory, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and the Good Conduct Medal.
After military service, Vance resumed management of the Baker Ranch until 1950 when he enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Four years later, he graduated with distinction from the College of Business Administration. As a student, he was President of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and President of Beta Gamma Sigma National Honorary Society.
Vance then took employment with Continental Oil Company, managing sales territories at several locations in Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa for 27 years, taking early retirement in 1981 (rather, he said, than be transferred to Hot Springs, Arkansas!)
On Sept. 26, 1964, Vance married Marilyn Painter Billings at the Methodist Church in Springview. Together, they raised and educated her three sons, Ron, Mark and David and their son, Blaine.
Following retirement, the buying and selling antique tractors, cars, petroleum collectibles and various miscellaneous items took up his time, doing business across the country as well as Canada and Europe. Vance liked to have auctions. His sons say after four or five big sales, he thought they ought to have just one more!
Vance was a huge promoter of Keya Paha County. He chaired the Keya Paha County Planning Commission for 23 years; was active in the Keya Paha County Activity Center; Keya Paha County Foundation and a 50-year member of the Springview United Methodist Church. He also had an active part in the erection of the Keya Paha County Veterans Memorial. He and Marilyn seldom missed an Alumni banquet; his last was in May 2019 as an honored 80-year graduate.
For the past two years, Vance and Marilyn have made their home at Cherry Hills Estates in Valentine. Vance was a favorite of staff and residents alike for his subtle humor, his interesting stories and insurmountable courage.
Vance celebrated his 98th birthday in January with a huge cake that he shared with family members and residents of Cherry Hills. Vance passed away on Feb.14, 2020 at the Cherry County Hospital.
Preceding in death were his parents, son Ron Billings, brothers Ray, Charles and Owen; sisters Gwen Fling, Evelyn Heiden and Oma Weston.
Vance is survived by his wife, Marilyn, brother Brad Baker; children, Sandy Billings and son, Coby and wife, Kim; Mark and Karen Billings and children, Brittany, Devin and wife, Jordan; David and Donna Billings and children, Tyson and friend, Taylor and Beau and fiance, Josie; Blaine Baker and children, Gabby, Carly and Jackson; great-grandchildren, Caden, Clay, Courtney, Kennedy, William, Danielle, Colton, Eleanore and Ezra.
Funeral service for Vance Baker age 98 of Valentine and formally of Springview will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19th at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Springview. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Springview. Visitation will be on Tuesday, Feb 18th at 2:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine. Mr. Baker passed away on Feb. 14th in Valentine.
Vance, with his siblings, grew to adulthood on the ranch where hard work and responsibility prevailed. For his first ten years of education, he attended the local school at Burton. He then graduated from Keya Paha County High School in 1939.
Shortly thereafter, Vance took over the management of the family ranch until March 18, 1944 when he enlisted for duty in the Army Air Corps. After basic training at Amarillo, Texas, cryptography school in Illinois and machine gun training in California, he and his unit, the 1377th Signal Company Wing, departed for Bombay, India.
After their arrival in February 1945, his company formed a convoy of loaded trucks, some with high explosives, and drove over the Ledo Burma Road to China. Vance saw duty with General Marshall's Peace team and witnessed Japanese planes landing to surrender to Allied Forces..
Vance was honorably discharged at Camp Beale, CA on June 27, 1946 with the rank of Sergeant, continuing in the Army Air Force Reserves until Dec. 14, 1952. Medals earned were the Sharpshooter 45 Pistol, China Offensive, China Defense, World War II Victory, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and the Good Conduct Medal.
After military service, Vance resumed management of the Baker Ranch until 1950 when he enrolled at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Four years later, he graduated with distinction from the College of Business Administration. As a student, he was President of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and President of Beta Gamma Sigma National Honorary Society.
Vance then took employment with Continental Oil Company, managing sales territories at several locations in Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa for 27 years, taking early retirement in 1981 (rather, he said, than be transferred to Hot Springs, Arkansas!)
On Sept. 26, 1964, Vance married Marilyn Painter Billings at the Methodist Church in Springview. Together, they raised and educated her three sons, Ron, Mark and David and their son, Blaine.
Following retirement, the buying and selling antique tractors, cars, petroleum collectibles and various miscellaneous items took up his time, doing business across the country as well as Canada and Europe. Vance liked to have auctions. His sons say after four or five big sales, he thought they ought to have just one more!
Vance was a huge promoter of Keya Paha County. He chaired the Keya Paha County Planning Commission for 23 years; was active in the Keya Paha County Activity Center; Keya Paha County Foundation and a 50-year member of the Springview United Methodist Church. He also had an active part in the erection of the Keya Paha County Veterans Memorial. He and Marilyn seldom missed an Alumni banquet; his last was in May 2019 as an honored 80-year graduate.
For the past two years, Vance and Marilyn have made their home at Cherry Hills Estates in Valentine. Vance was a favorite of staff and residents alike for his subtle humor, his interesting stories and insurmountable courage.
Vance celebrated his 98th birthday in January with a huge cake that he shared with family members and residents of Cherry Hills. Vance passed away on Feb.14, 2020 at the Cherry County Hospital.
Preceding in death were his parents, son Ron Billings, brothers Ray, Charles and Owen; sisters Gwen Fling, Evelyn Heiden and Oma Weston.
Vance is survived by his wife, Marilyn, brother Brad Baker; children, Sandy Billings and son, Coby and wife, Kim; Mark and Karen Billings and children, Brittany, Devin and wife, Jordan; David and Donna Billings and children, Tyson and friend, Taylor and Beau and fiance, Josie; Blaine Baker and children, Gabby, Carly and Jackson; great-grandchildren, Caden, Clay, Courtney, Kennedy, William, Danielle, Colton, Eleanore and Ezra.
Funeral service for Vance Baker age 98 of Valentine and formally of Springview will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19th at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Springview. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Springview. Visitation will be on Tuesday, Feb 18th at 2:00 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine. Mr. Baker passed away on Feb. 14th in Valentine.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
