Plankowner
Posts: 5024
Location: Gulfport, MS | Subject: Tuesday Obit
VANN, Allen Everett, 104, died on Friday, July 14, 2023. He had lived in the Norman Veterans Center in Norman, OK, since April 2009, and was the oldest living WWII veteran in Oklahoma at the time of his passing. His family wants to acknowledge the innumerable people at the Norman Veterans Center who supported, loved, encouraged and cared for him. Also, deep appreciation for the attentive care Good Shepherd Hospice gave Dad during his last couple of years. Dad was born October 7, 1918, and grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, the son of a cotton farmer. He lost both his parents early in life and he worked in the coal mines to support his family. He later came to Oklahoma to live with relatives and joined the Navy in early 1942 right after Pearl Harbor. He served in the US Navy Submarine service aboard the USS Seahorse (SS-304) moving up the ranks to “Chief of the Boat”. He qualified in submarines in Seahorse in 1944 and was TMC(SS) when released by the Navy in 1945. The crew of the Seahorse received numerous commendations during the war for their actions in the Pacific. Like many veterans who don’t say much about their service, Dad was proud, but humble about his part in doing the ”job that had to be done”. He was truly a great patriot who deeply respected and loved his Country…something he certainly passed on to his family. After the Navy, he came back to Oklahoma, married Betty Lou Gilbert and started a family. Two sons came out of his marriage to Betty; Dan Allen Vann (wife: Marsha) of Edmond, OK, and Ronnie William Vann of Lake Livingston, TX. He was blessed by and enjoyed his five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Despite a meager education previously, Dad earned a bachelor’s degree at Abilene Christian College and later a Master of Education from the University of Oklahoma. Although not a native Okie, he was certainly “Sooner Bred” and loved Oklahoma and ‘his Sooners’. He devoted many years in Oklahoma City serving the LORD as a preacher and spent his years in retirement working with smaller churches to assist them. After receiving his graduate education degree, he spent more than 25 years as a public-school principal and administrator. He was a gracious and respectful man with a deep love for children and dedicated to their educational needs. In his passing, we treasure two beautiful scriptures to his memory: John 3:16-17 and Revelation 21: 1–4. He now enjoys eternal peace and comfort with his Savior, Jesus Christ. A salute to you Sailor, we’ll see you again. The family will have a private memorial service with Military Honors in Ft. Sill, OK at a later date. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemorialParkOKC.com for the Vann family.
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Tuesday Obit
