DeWayne L. VanNess

DeWayne Lee VanNess was born on July 24th, 1948, in O’Neil Nebraska to John and Juna VanNess. DeWayne grew up in O’Neil with his 3 brothers and 1 sister until he graduated in 1966. After he graduated from high school he soon joined the United States. Army, where he served in the Vietnam War, until 1971 when he left the Army to join the United States Navy. He served in the Navy from 1971 until 1988 working as an Aviation Structural Mechanic.

In 1979 he met his wife Janice, in Corning California. While serving in the Navy, he would write letters to Janice, up until the day they got married. They were married in Red Bluff California on November 4th, 1980. After they were married they moved, with their children, between Lemoore California and China Lake California, until he retired from the Navy in 1988.

After he retired from the Navy, him and his family moved to Corning California, where he worked as a truck driver, driving cross country, up until 1999 when DeWayne and Janice moved back to York Nebraska, where he continued to work as a truck driver until the mid-2000’s when DeWayne retired from being a truck driver and started working with developmentally disabled adults. In 2010 DeWayne and Janice decided to move from Nebraska to Oregon to be closer to their kids and grandchildren. They in Prineville Oregon until his death on August 11th, 2018, where he was surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.

DeWayne enjoyed working, retiring many times, watching NCIS, western shows, and any shows/movies that had to do with history. He was a member of the American Legion. DeWayne enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was very proud of all his kids and grandkids.

He is survived by his wife Janice. Son Shawn Robinson and his wife Maxine, Daughters Jennifer Wedige Metschke, Connie Bennett and her husband Ryan, Tamara Gordon and her husband Walter. Grandchildren Marcene, Jessee, Jayde, Justice, Averi, Boston, Samuel, Olivia, and great granddaughter Payton. He is also survived by his brothers Gary VanNess, John VanNess, and Jack VanNess, and sister Nancy Upton.

He is preceded in death by his parent John and Juna VanNess

“Duty, honor, country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be” Douglas MacArthur

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