John Vann Obituary

John Graves Vann, Jr. MT. PLEASANT - John Graves Vann Jr., 88, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, formerly of Raleigh, NC died on Sunday, March 21, 2010. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Lampe Vann in 2008. Their relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral services at the graveside, Thursday, March 25, 2010, at two o'clock in Historic Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh, NC. The family will receive friends following the service at the North Carolina State University Park Alumni Center on the Centennial Campus. Mr. Vann was born January 21, 1922, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the son of J. Graves Vann and Mary Norwood Vann. He was a graduate of North Carolina State University where he also received his Masters Degree and was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. He was a captain in the United States Army during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater and participated in the occupation of Tokyo. For over forty years, Mr. Vann was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, serving as deacon, elder, and Sunday School teacher. He was honored to be named an elder emeritus and enjoyed many years as a member of the Vanguard Class. Upon moving to Mt. Pleasant in 2006, the Vanns became members of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church. In the early years of his professional career, he was employed as an industrial engineer and production manager. In 1964, he was employed by the North Carolina Science and Technology Research Center where he held various positions until his retirement in 1988 as the Director of the Center. He is survived by his children Rosemary V. Ford and her husband Ted of Charleston, SC, J. Graves Vann, III, and his wife Sophia of New Bern, NC, and David D.N. Vann and his wife Cynthia of Tampa, FL; one sister: Louise V. Tronnes and her husband Erl of Winston Salem, NC; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 120 West Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, or to Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, 302 Hibben Street, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths