Vance Turley Young, age 74, of Garden City, Kansas died July 22, 2011 at Homestead Health and Rehabilitation in Garden City, Kansas. He was born October 31, 1936 in Council Grove, Kansas, to Orval Amos and Manilla Mae (Turley) Young.

Vance started school in Council Grove, Kansas and graduated from Emporia High School. In 7th grade, the family moved to Emporia where he worked as a sales clerk and soda-jerk in his father’s drug store. He held this job throughout his college years. In high school and college he was active in music and played the organ for many churches. Vance earned his Master’s Degree in Music Education and Bachelor Degree in Psychology at Kansas State Teaching College. Vance served in the United States Army and National Guard from 1957 until 1963. He began his career, teaching general music in August 1959 at Joyce and Sullivan schools in Ulysses. In 1967, Vance brought a two-octave set of handbells to the Methodist Church. They were paid for by a donation after a special concert was given by the Asbury Choir under Vance’s direction. From 1968 – 1971, Vance lived in Las Vegas, Nevada where he taught elementary music. He formed an honor choir who performed in many places in Las Vegas. He then moved back to Ulysses and taught music for 4th to 8th grades. In 1983, he started teaching computer classes at Kepley Junior High School. Vance was an organist of great talent, a singer, a lover of laughter, and a loyal friend to many.

He is survived by his sister, Norma Jean Meyer of St. Charles, Missouri; and numerous other family and friends.

Vance was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Joe Orval Young.

Memorial service will be held, Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Ulysses, Kansas with Reverend Wayne Flanders officiating. Inurnment will be at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Concordia, Kansas at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to the First United Methodist Church, American Diabetes Association or the Silent Angels Advocate of Leoti (a no kill animal shelter) in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.