Vance Van Cleave

Vance “Ted” Van Cleave, 94, formerly of Fort Collins, died December 31, 2015. Ted was born November 7, 1921 in New Raymer, Colorado to Otto and Millie Van Cleave. Ted grew up and attended school in McFadden, Wyoming (west of Laramie). Upon graduation in 1939 he went to work for Marathon Oil Company until he enlisted in to the US Army on August 25, 1942. Prior to being deployed, he married Gladys I. “Birdie” Bowser on September 14, 1941 in Kimball, Nebraska. He served in the 3468th Ordinance M1 Company as an Automotive Mechanic and 3rd Echelon Half Track Mechanic in WWII at Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. He was a Private when discharged on October 2, 1945 at Fort Logan, Colorado. He returned to McFadden and was employed with Marathon Oil. He was assigned as a driller to Marathon rigs in McFadden and later in the Big Horn Basin area of Wyoming, DJ Basin of Colorado and Nebraska. He was promoted to tool pusher. In 1958 he took his family to Tripoli, Libya, North Africa, as Marathon’s Drilling Superintendent for Oasis Oil Company. They stayed in Tripoli until 1965 when the US put the embargo against Libya. From there Ted was assigned to Marathon Oil to the North Sea in Ireland, then Indonesia, Alaska, Ventura, CA, Midland, TX and Cody, WY before retiring in February 01, 1978. Ted and Birdie chose Fort Collins, Colorado as their retirement city. Ted was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Fort Collins. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting and traveling. Survivors include his sons, Gerald L. (Lyndall)Van Cleave of Denver, and Larry D. (Rosalene Kay) Van Cleave of Bailey; five grandchildren, Erik Van Cleave of Highlands Ranch, Jayde Van Cleave of Rush, Krystal Matyi of Elbert, Caley Van Cleave of Denver and Whitney Van Cleave of Denver; three great-grandchildren, Rayland Van Cleave, Ashlie Van Cleave, and Lachlan Matyi. Ted is preceded in death by his wife, Gladys; his father, Otto L. Van Cleave, brothers, Robert (Bob), William (Bill) and Wayne (Pete); and sister, Joyce Slothhower. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at The Bridge Church, 833 S. Taft Hill Rd. A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Grandview Cemetery.

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Vance Van Cleave

November 7, 1921 - December 31, 2015