Richard Vannoy

Richard C. "Dick" Vannoy, 91 of Fort Stockton, Texas passed from this life on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at his home in Fort Stockton, Texas. A visitation will take place at Heritage Funeral Home on Friday, February 27, 2015 from 6-8P.M. A memorial service will be celebrated at the Fort Stockton Church of Christ on Saturday, February 28th at 11:00 A.M. with James Glasscock officiating.

Dick was born on December 29th, 1923 in Marietta, Ohio to Kenner and Thelma Vannoy. He graduated from Tallmadge High School in 1941 in Tallmadge, Ohio. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1947, including a tour of duty in the South Pacific during World War II. Following his discharge, he married a wonderful Christian lady - Betty Jean Fraley.

He graduated from Abilene Christian College in Abilene, Texas with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1952 and he, Betty and children returned to Ohio. In 1956 they came to Fort Stockton, Texas where Dick served as the Manager of Firestone Test Center for 32 years. He was very active in the Church and the community. He was an elder in the church of Christ for many years, served on the city council for several years and was past president of the Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Lions Club. In 1986 upon his retirement he and Betty traveled extensively and eventually relocated to the mountains of Cloudcroft, New Mexico. While in Cloudcroft, he and Betty became very active in missionary work, particularly in Guatemala. During that time Betty's health declined and she passed away August 19, 2004. Dick continued living in Cloudcroft for another 10 years working in the mission field. He relocated to Fort Stockton, Texas in 2014 and married Barbara Zachary who quickly went from being a bride to a wonderful caregiver. She remained steadfastly at his side and was holding his hand and telling him she loved him at the time of his passing.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Kenner and Thelma Vannoy , his wife Betty Fraley Vannoy, a brother Don Vannoy and a sister Nan Beatty, a grandson, Wayne Miller, a grandson-in-law Jonathan Warden.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Vannoy, two sons - Dr. Gary Vannoy and wife, Nancy of Abilene, Texas; Rick Vannoy of Midland, Texas; And daughter, Patricia Miller and husband Emmett Miller of Brownwood, Texas, Barbara's children, Ron Zachary, Debbie Woodward and husband, Skip Woodward all of Fort Stockton, Texas, special family members Roberto Alvarez and his wife Martha and three children of Guatemala; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Guatemala Mission fund at the Cloudcroft church of Christ, P. O. Box 316, Cloudcroft, NM 88317 in his honor. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.heritagefuneralhomeofthebigbend.com