Tom Vance and his big life will be celebrated Wednesday, September 17, 2014.  Heaven called and signed him to a long-term performance agreement on September 13, 2014. An entertainer, adman and gentleman, Tom loved to laugh and loved making people laugh even more.

Tom was a true friend; he is survived by many of them and his beloved family: wife Marilyn “Jo” Shear Vance Vaccarello; daughter, Andrea Vaccarello Rowell and her husband, Jon, of Carrollton; Julie Bertolino and her husband, Frank, and their son, Sam, of Houston; sister-in-law, Lillian Vaccarello of Concord, Massachusetts; and numerous nieces and nephews; and by Marie Yianitsas Vaccarello, mother of Andrea and George. He was preceded by his parents, George and Carmela Falzone Vaccarello; brothers, Vincent and Henry Vaccarello; sisters, Sally Keane and Emily Vaccarello; and by his beloved son, George Vance Vaccarello. 

Tom’s big story…began as Thomas George Vaccarello, in Waltham, Massachusetts, on July 9, 1933. He grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts. A hockey player in high school, he was inducted into the Lexington High School Hockey Hall of Fame.  He was given a hockey scholarship to college, but with five of his buddies, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in l951. He served in Korea, Baker Company, 5th Marines. Tom was wounded in action and received two Purple Hearts. He later served two years, Entertainment Unit, as co-writer and co-producer of “Broadway on the 38th,” a Marine Corps show for the soldiers. Tom and his partner, Jack Yianitsas from Beaumont, met onboard ship going to Korea and formed a song and comedy team, “Vance and Stewart.”  Upon return to civilian life, Tom and Jack toured nationally with the act.

Tom’s big imagination…brought him to Beaumont in 1955. He started out selling Amana freezers door-to-door. A natural salesman he went to work for KPAC Radio, then for KPAC-TV.  He was offered a job to host a late night show “Starlight Theater with Tommy Vance” on Sunday evenings.  From that came “Jive at Five,” a dance show for local high schools, which he hosted and produced. It was the #2 teen dance show per capita in the nation, and top musical artists made tour stops to appear on Tom’s show.  In 1961, he established the Vance Agency, starting his remarkable career in advertising and public relations that continued as Vance-Mathews Advertising, Vance Consulting and with Cornerstone Media. His first office was his Volkswagen and he was never without a big idea. 

Tom’s big influence…helped solidify the NFL Players Association

In the late ‘60s, at the urging of Philadelphia Eagles QB and Rice University graduate King Hill, Tom went to the annual player’s convention and would become the first public relations director of the NFL Players Association and part of its negotiating team. Tom and a group of good citizens later helped Beaumont to be named the “Pro Football Capital of America,” putting the city on the map and honoring the many outstanding professional athletes from our region. In 2011, Tom was inducted into the Museum of the Gulf Coast Sports Hall of Fame.

Tom’s big personality…gained him celebrity friends and clients

Tom was a respected business manager, representing Detroit Lion and actor Alex Karras, actor and Karras’ wife, Susan Clark, Dick Butkus, Dan Pastorini, Earl Campbell, and author George Plimpton. Karras and Clark met on the set of “The Babe,” a TV movie about the world’s greatest female athlete, Mildred “Babe” Zaharias. Tom helped turn the premier into a Hollywood-style spectacular at Beaumont’s historic Jefferson Theater. Their friendship also enabled Tom to join Alex on the set and be a barely visible extra in “Blazing Saddles.”

As producer of many annual benefits for St. Elizabeth Hospital, Tom called on friends and acquaintances to headline the event. Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Donald O’Connor, Andy Williams, Tony Orlando, Barbara Mandrell, and Paul Anka performed here. He produced national sales meetings and trade shows for his advertising clients with Tony Bennett, Al Hirt, and Jerry Lewis. Tom worked with celebrities from Johnny Carson to Howard Cosell, and Dean Martin to Buddy Hackett.

Tom’s big voice and heart…never failed him during ten years as emcee for the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, and as auctioneer, chairperson, and fund-raiser for hundreds of civic and charitable events for nearly fifty years. He was on the board of directors for St. Elizabeth Hospital and advisory board for the College of Fine Arts and Communication for Lamar University. Tom previously served on the boards of Ducks Unlimited, Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Beaumont Country Club, Boys Haven, and Better Boys Foundation of Chicago; held memberships with the Rotary Club of Beaumont, Advertising Club of Beaumont, and Beaumont Jaycees, and was a former public relations director for United Appeals. Awards include “Man of the Year” from the Advertising Club of Beaumont, “Distinguished Service Award” from the Beaumont Jaycees, “Outstanding Young Texans” citation, the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s W. Donham Crawford Service Award, and Public Relations Man of the Year.

Tom’s big loves…An avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer. Tom’s passion for the outdoors is only surpassed by his love for Lamar University…this made him one of the founding cast members and organizers of the LUlluby of Broadway for Lamar theater student scholarships. He earned his “Star” and has a scholarship established in his name which aids Lamar Golf. Tom and his wife, Jo were the honorees of Lamar’s 2009 Le Grand Bal. 

The family would like to thank Pete St. Clair, Tom’s caregiver; Herbert James; Estela Rodriguez; Odyssey Gentiva Hospice and Lil Betty, his nurse; Dr. Tom Lombardo and Dr. Suresh Indupalli, for advice and care.  And, especially to Mona Brittain, for her help over the years.

A gathering of Mr. Vance’s family and friend will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 16, 2014, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 17, 2014, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 4090 Delaware, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont. Following the service at Forest Lawn, there will be a reception in Broce Hall at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

Serving as pallbearers will be Dr. Jimmy Simmons, Jerry Reese, Gerald Farha, John Hawa, Brad Klein, Rocky Chase, and Brian White, his “second” son. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Hal Clarke, Buddy Crutchfield, Jerry Nathan, Martin Edwards, J.T. Leone, Sam Malley, Jarred DeMore, Walter Umphrey, B Terrell, and Dibben Ohmstede.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 4090 Delaware, Beaumont, Texas 77706; Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704; Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program, 2390 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706; Lamar Golf, 211 Redbird Lane, Beaumont, Texas 77710; or to a charity of one’s choice.

♫Thanks for the Memories♫