Leroy Vann, 86, of Panama City, passed away February 16, 2012 at his home. He was born August 14, 1925 in Houston County, Alabama to Porter and Josie Lee Cobb Vann. Mr. Vann was an electrician by trade and had been a resident here since 1946. He loved spending time working in his garden and talking with friends and neighbors as they traveled his way. Mr. Vann was a proud veteran of WWII, serving as an amphibious landing craft driver in most major campaigns including Omaha Beach on D-Day, North Africa, Southern France, Okinawa, Guam, and Iwo Jima. He was a longtime and devoted member of First Presbyterian Church and the Panama City Kiwanis Club.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Janice Vann Foster Henry; brothers, Foy, David and Floyd; and sister, Emma. He is survived by his wife, Gretchen Nelson Scott Vann of Panama City; two daughters, Nancy Vann Everritt and husband, Bill of Panama City, Kathryn Vann Hartzog of Loganville, Georgia; grandchildren, Thomas Foster and wife Kara of Carrollton, Georgia, Heather Foster Corbin and husband, Chris of McDonough, Georgia, Jeremy Hartzog and wife Kimberly of Loganville, Georgia, Bryan Hartzog and wife Kelda of Toccoa, Georgia, David Everritt and Damon Everritt, both of Pensacola, Florida; 8 great grandchildren; step-sons, Carey Scott and Nelson Scott and their families; sister, Doris Williams of Bethlehem, Florida; brothers, Raymond Vann of Slocomb, Alabama, Robert Vann of Pompano Beach, Florida, Jim Vann of Bayou George, Ralph Vann of Mountain Home, Idaho, and Bill Vann of Eustis, Florida.
A memorial service will be held Monday at 1 p.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Richard Watson officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 12 to 1 p.m., prior to the service. Those desiring to may make a contribution to First Presbyterian Church of Panama City, 100 East 7th Street, Panama City, Florida 32401 or the Panama City Kiwanis Club, PO Box 796, Panama City, Florida 32402 in memory of Leroy Vann.