OBIT-Arthur Bernard “Vandy” VanDeventer
“My life on earth was very good, as earthly life can go, but paradise is so much more than anyone can know.”
Arthur Bernard “Vandy” VanDeventer, 91, went to his eternal home on May 7, 2015 in Mission, Texas. Vandy was born in Liberty, Texas on November 16, 1923, to Juanita LaCour and Lloyd Quitman VanDeventer, who preceded him in death. He was the oldest of four boys, all now reunited in heaven, Lloyd “Bubba,” Charles, and Jimmy.
Vandy leaves behind his loving wife of 43 years, Mary VanDeventer; his children, Mary Kay Broughton (Mike) and Mark VanDeventer, as well as Patricia Craig (David), Terry Hightower, and Lyn Pierce.
A 1941 graduate of Liberty High School, Vandy went on to work for Sun Oil Company for 45 years. He married Millicent Volz in 1953 and they made their home in Mission, with a brief time living in Maracaibo, Venezuela as a family in 1969. Family and friends were devastated when Millicent succumbed to cancer in 1970.
On January 22, 1972, Vandy married Mary Capotosto Graham. They went on to retire in San Antonio before returning to Mission in 1996. Their union has been such a blessing, merging two beautiful families into one absolutely amazing one
Grandchildren include Heather Broughton Marks (Jared), Jason Broughton, Dylan VanDeventer, Sondra VanDeventer, Dave “DJ” Craig (Kristy), Ashley Hightower McComb (Justin), Justin Hightower, and Daniel Davis (Hannah). Great-grandchildren are Beau Marks (5), Alex McComb (7), Kyle McComb (5), Audrey McComb (7 mos), Rosemary Davis (2 mos), Makenzie VanDeventer (16), Breanna Taft (12), Lilee Taft (9), and Cloe Taft (8).
Vandy loved telling jokes and stories, anything chocolate, jitterbugging up a storm, a good Whataburger, and Aggie football. He knew no stranger and beamed with pride when talking about his family.
Services will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Saturday, May 23rd at 10 a.m., with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or a random act of kindness in Vandy’s memory.
“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”