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- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 22 Feb 2014.
Vance announces re-election bid for Circuit Court Judge Part II
Circuit Court Judge Richard R. “Dick” Vance has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for re-election as Circuit Court Judge, Part II, to continue serving the people of the Fourth Judicial District, which includes Sevier, Jefferson, Cocke, and Grainger Counties.
In announcing his candidacy, Judge Vance said; “ For the past sixteen years, it has been an honor and privilege to serve the people as your Circuit Court Judge. I hope to continue this service and live up to the trust and con?ence the people of the district have placed in me. I have an excellent working relationship with the other Circuit Judges, Rex Ogle, Ben Hooper, Duane Slone and Chancellor Telford Forgety, and feel that we have made great progress in the fair administration of justice in the district.”
“A judge must understand that each case is the most important one for the parties involved and respect the right of every person to be heard. Each case affects peoples’ lives and it is the duty of a judge to insure that everyone gets a fair trial”, said Vance in discussing his judicial responsibilities. “I have particular concern for cases involving children, whether in divorce, adoption, or as victims in criminal cases. They are the most important asset our country has and we must not only protect them but guide them as they become the next generation of American Citizens to lead our nation.” Judge Vance has established his commitment to our young people not only in his judicial decisions but also by many previous years of volunteer service as a scout leader and as a director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Kidney Foundation.
Judge Vance was first appointed to his office by Governor Sundquist in 1997 to fill the vacancy in Part II, after Judge William R. Holt, Jr. retired. He was re-elected without opposition in 1998 and again in 2006.
Judge Dick Vance is a native East Tennesseean, born in Knoxville, and a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law. He is a past president of the Sevier County UT Alumni Chapter. He has a great love for the Smoky Mountains and is a supporter of the Friends of the Smokies.
Upon graduation from law school, Judge Vance volunteered for service in the United States Air Force, serving over four years active duty, attaining the rank of Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Department and served as a Military Judge, presiding over court martial cases. He is a member of American Legion Post 104 and served overseas in Korea. He was an organizer of the Sevier County Veteran’s Monument Committee which created the Veteran’s Monument, topped by a magnificent bronze eagle, which stands on the courthouse lawn.
Upon returning home from the Air Force, Dick served with the City of Knoxville Law Department and practiced law in Sevier and Knox counties. He served as Chief Assistant District Attorney General on Al Schmutzer’s staff for over 18 years. He has also taught Criminal Law and Procedure at Walters State College.
His late parents, Richard and Cora Ramsey Vance, were residents of Pigeon Forge. His mother was born in Pittman Center and his dad’s family was from Grainger County. He has lived in both Grainger and Sevier Counties and has family roots in every county in the district. Dick is married to Elizabeth and has three children, Richard Vance III, Susan Vance Seals, and Mary Elizabeth Vance. He has three grandchildren, Victoria, Chance and Wyatt. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Sevierville.
“I have asked thousands of jurors to listen to the proof, follow the law, be fair to both sides, and then just do what’s right. As your Circuit Judge, I will continue to do the same thing to the very best of my ability,” said Judge Vance.
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 3 Dec 2017.
October 28, 1941 - December 3, 2017
The Honorable Judge Richard R. “Dick” Vance, age 76 of Sevierville, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 3, 2017 after a long battle with illness with his family by his side.
Judge Vance was a 1966 graduate of the University of Tennessee Law School. He served in the United States Air Force from 1967-1971 as a member of the Judge Advocate Department and served overseas in Korea and was a member of American Legion Post #104. Judge Vance served as assistant Attorney General from 1975-1990 and again from 1994-1997. He served as Circuit Court Judge of the 4th Judicial District from 1997-2017. Dick was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed sailing and photography, especially wildlife in Cades Cove. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Sevierville.
Judge Vance was preceded in death by his parents, Richard R. and Cora Ramsey Vance.
Survivors include his Wife: Elizabeth “Becky” Vance; Son: Richard R. Vance, III; Daughters: Susan Elaine Vance Seals and husband Tony and Mary Elizabeth Vance; Grandsons: Coda Channing and Wyatt Cooper Seals; Granddaughter: Victoria Harriman and partner Wesley Muse; Victoria’s mother Jennie Harriman; Sisters: Barbara Lynn Vance and Rebecca Vance; Special friends: Eddie Helton, who was always there to help when he needed him and his photography buddy, Buz Kiefer.
Dick was a committed supporter of many civic and charitable organizations. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make memorial contributions to the American Lung Association or to a local charity of your choice.
The family will receive friends 3:00 PM – 5:45 PM Thursday with funeral service to immediately follow at 6 PM at First Baptist Church, Sevierville. Rev. Jerry Hyder and Dr. Rich Liner will officiate. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post # 104.
Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Paul Whaley, Lt. Commander Andrew Paul Whaley (US Navy), Dick’s longtime Administrative Assistant Deborah McMahan, Supreme Court Justice Gary Wade (ret), Judges Norma Ogle, Carter Moore, James Gass, Rex Henry Ogle, Duane Slone, Ben Hooper (ret), Kenneth Porter (ret), Chancellor Telford Forgety, Judges Dwight Stokes, Jeff Rader, District Attorney Generals James Dunn and Al Schmutzer (ret), Public Defender Ed Miller, Child Support Referee Melissa Moore, members of the Tennessee Judicial Conference and members of the Sevier County, Cocke County, Grainger County and Jefferson County Bar Associations.
Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com.
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1941 - 2017 (76 years)
, d. 27 Aug 2002, Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee