TJ Vance Obituary (1979

Tyler James (TJ) Vance, age 44, was born to Larry and Bonna (Borwege) Vance at the Webster County Hospital in Red Cloud, Nebraska on December 5, 1979 and departed his life, surrounded by his loved ones, at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney, Nebraska on July 10, 2024. He was baptized and confirmed at Bladen United Methodist Church. TJ graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1998. He played football and basketball and was named to the All-State Basketball Team by the Lincoln Journal-Star. Later that year, TJ attended McCook Community College graduating with an associate's degree in business administration in 2000. On April 7, 2001, TJ married his high school and college sweetheart, Tara Faber, at Bladen United Methodist Church. To this union were born two sons, Trey Edward Vance (Sept. 26, 2005) and Tanner James Vance (Feb. 9, 2010). At an early age, TJ was his dad's right-hand man on the ranch and with the family business, Vance Cutting Horses. He began showing his horses in 4-H and then graduated to a higher level breaking and training horses for cutting competition. TJ was a determined competitor on Smoken George, Peppy's Smoken Sam, and Smoken Wade. The tack room is full of trophy saddles that he won on his horses. When TJ sold his gelding Smoken Wade, he was able to invest in a small cow herd. Near 2006, TJ proclaimed, "I want to raise kids and cattle." He went on to increase his cow herd with assistance and advice from his father and neighbors Rob Wilson, the late Gene Boner, and the late Merlin Meyer. Later, TJ passed on that same advice to many young farmers and ranchers in Webster County and beyond. As busy as he was, TJ was a giver of his time to whomever in need. He helped countless neighbors when it was time to work cattle or put up hay. In fact, he was 'everybody's neighbor.' TJ loved taking care of his land and cattle and was really at home in his pastures and hay land in Webster County while, at the same time, finding time to attend his sons' school activities. TJ made time to 'be there for everybody.' TJ is survived by wife Tara (Faber) Vance of Inavale; sons Trey and Tanner of Inavale; father and mother Larry and Bonna Vance of Inavale; brother Cody Vance of Crete; aunts/uncles Lonnie (Linda) Vance of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Sharon Burgess of Red Cloud, Diane (Larry) Overy of Pauline, Colleen Kucera of Deweese, and Sonja Borwege of Miltonvale, Kansas; father-in-law Ed Faber; sisters/brothers-in-law Char and Bernie Parr of Roseland, Cindy and Dana Korell of Bayard, Pete and Karen Faber of Harvard, Pat Faber and Roger Fassler of Bladen, and Todd and Denise Faber of Juniata; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and loyal cattle dog C.C. Preceding him in death are brother Monte Jay Vance; grandparents Raleigh and Marie Vance and Norbert and LaVona Borwege; aunt Judith (Vance) Schollmeyer; uncles Derald Burgess, Larry Sanford, Leonard Kucera, and Scott Borwege; cousin Tracy Jane Borwege; and mother-in-law Nancy Faber. What all of us will miss about TJ is his hearty laugh, witty remarks and kind smile. He packed 88 years of life into 44. God had a plan for his life, and we know he is now in God's hands. Trophies must be dusted off and saddles oiled--The good Lord gave TJ the most coveted award of all--the gift of faith, family and friends. Memberships and activities: - Cutting Horse Association of Nebraska (CHAN), as a competitor and judge - National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), as a competitor and judge - Judge for high school cutting championships in South Dakota and Nebraska - Clinician for cutting horse competitors in the Czech Republic - Youth basketball coach for Trey's and Tanner's teams - Webster County Agricultural Association (Fair Board), as a long-time member - South Central Cattlemen, as a member - Webster County Board of Commissioners, as chairman and member of associated committees - National Association of County Officials (NACO) - Bladen United Methodist Church, as a life-long member who served on various committees Funeral services were 10:30 am, Monday, July 22, 2024, at the Bladen Elementary Gymnasium with the Rev. Michelle Loeffelholz officiating. (Please note that Western Attire is requested.) Interment was at the Harmony Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established by the family for later designation. Williams Funeral Home 241 West 4th Avenue Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970 Phone 402-746-2500 williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com