Floyd, Virginia, Remembers Junior Alfred Vance and the Passion Behind His 1939 Plymouth

 FLOYD, Virginia — Junior Alfred Vance, 74, is being remembered by family, friends, and neighbors as a devoted family man whose life was shaped by skilled craftsmanship, independence, and a genuine passion for the work he spent four decades perfecting. Junior died September 6, 2026, leaving behind a story centered on family, automobiles, restoration, and the everyday dedication that made him meaningful to those around him.

Born July 5, 1952, Junior built a career in auto body work that became far more than a job. He spent 40 years developing his craft and took particular pride in the precision and patience required to restore vehicles. His professional journey eventually led him to operate Vance Auto Body Repair and Restoration, a business he proudly ran for the final 25 years of his working life. His craftsmanship became an important part of how many people knew him.

One of Junior’s greatest personal passions was his 1939 Plymouth, which he built from the frame up. The classic automobile represented more than a finished project; it reflected the patience, skill, and pride he brought to his craft. For someone who devoted so many years to restoration, creating and maintaining a vehicle of his own offered a lasting expression of the abilities and interests that shaped his life.

Away from the workshop, Junior’s priorities were much simpler. His obituary describes a man whose main focus was always family. That devotion can be seen in the large circle of relatives who survive him, including his children Ricky Vance and Sherry Chandler, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, stepchildren, nieces, and other loved ones. He was also remembered by special friend Mikey Mengelt. Their memories now become part of the family story Junior leaves behind.

Junior was preceded in death by his parents, Anderson and Barbara Vance, and his wife, Wanda Vance. The absence of those loved ones adds another layer of meaning as his family gathers to remember him. Even after decades filled with work and family milestones, a person’s legacy often lives most clearly through the relationships they nurtured and the traditions they helped create. For Junior, family remained at the center of his life.

Friends and relatives will have an opportunity to honor Junior during visitation Wednesday, September 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gardner Funeral Home in Floyd. A private family service is planned in Jacksonville at a later date. These gatherings will give those closest to him time to support one another, remember stories, and reflect on the years they shared with a man whose hands were skilled in the shop and whose heart was devoted to family.

Junior Alfred Vance leaves behind more than a collection of restored automobiles or a business bearing his name. He leaves behind family members who knew his dedication, friends who valued his presence, and memories connected to a lifetime of work he genuinely enjoyed. His 1939 Plymouth, his years of craftsmanship, and the family he cherished each tell a different part of his story. Together, they offer a lasting portrait of a Floyd, Virginia, man who lived with purpose, pride, and devotion. For those who knew Junior personally, the memories may be found in conversations, garage projects, family gatherings, familiar routines, and the pride he took in doing something well and helping those around him whenever he could.