Arthur Funk "Cap'n" Vance, age 54, died peacefully in his sleep on March 24, 2003, at his home in Beaumont. He was born on Dec. 2, 1948, in Hondo, to Frank and Dorothy Vance. Vance graduated from Hondo High School and Texas A&M University. He served his country in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in March 1973. He married Hazel Campbell in 1975 and they were the distributors for the Houston Chronicle in Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange. They were very active in the local, state and national Republican Party. At the time of his death, Arthur was the parts manager for Conn1s Electric in Beaumont. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Albert Lobitz Vance, John Henry Vance; nephews, Austin Vance and Leslie Thompson Vance. Vance was Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 951 and was a 4th Degree Knight. He was very involved in the Santa Claus Project, visiting hospitalized area children and handing out Christmas gifts to each on Christmas Eve - all the while dressed as Santa Claus. He also delivered care packages to the residents of the three nursing homes in Beaumont on Christmas Eve. He will missed by Hazel Vance Meaux, and siblings, Anna and Jim Tomey and Rita Vance of Hondo, Rev. Leslie Vance of San Antonio, Pat and Patricia Vance of League City and Frank "Tito" and Becky Vance of Marble Falls. Rosary was recited Wednesday evening at Broussard's Funeral Home in Beaumont under the direction of Knights of Columbus Council 951. Pallbearers include Arthur's nephews, James Tomey II, Vance Tomey, Mark Vance, Frank Vance, Travis Vance and Chris Barden. Other nieces and nephews, Frank Vance III, Ann-Michelle and Steven Long, Jody Vance, Michael Volz, Sherry and Randy Roberts, Stephanie Vance, Mary Tomey, Jo Tomey and Suzie Barden will serve as honorary pallbearers. A rosary and funeral service will be held Friday, Mar. 28, 2 p.m., at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hondo with Rev. Leslie Vance officiating and Msgr. Robert Silverman concelebrating. Interment will be in Hondo Cemetery, St. John's Section. Memorial contributions may be made to Medina Co. TAMU Mothers' Club Scholarship Fund, c/o Helen Halliburton, 2020 FM 2676, Hondo, TX 78861.