In Memory
Roger Lee Vann
May 2, 1959 - Dec. 11, 2003
Mr. Roger Lee Vann, 44, beloved father, son and brother, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 11, in Canberra, Australia.
He was born on May 2, 1959, to Booker T. and Willia Lee (Jackson) Vann in South Bend, Ind. He graduated from LaSalle High School in 1978, where he received the Lyons Award for lettering in wrestling, track and football a total of nine times. He received his degree in art and minored in education. Graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1982, winning many honors along the way, he was named to three all-star teams: the Kodak All-American Collegiate Division I football team, the All-Wisconsin State University Conference Squad and the NAIA All-District 14 Club. He won the district rushing title two years in a row and was the NAIA national leader with a 157.5 yards per game average. He was sixth in scoring with 17 touchdowns. He set a school rushing record of 310 yards and scoring three time. He was named the Wisconsin State Conference MVP two years in a row. His senior year, he led his team to a 9-1 record and an unbeaten conference mark. One amazing statistic, he carried the ball 343 times and fumbled only twice. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49'ers in 1982 and traded that same year to the Dallas Cowboys. While with the Cowboys, he broke Tony Dorsett's pre-season rushing record. After playing professional football one season, he decided he no longer wanted to play. He then became a professional artist and also taught art in 1995.
He was united in holy matrimony to Joann Chiver in Sidney, Australia. He was an actor in various short films, and at the time of his death was working on a film with Jackie Chan in Sidney, Australia. He received the black belt in martial arts. He received many projects as a professional model. He was also an entertainer and a drummer, he had his own blues band, and also had a race car team.
Loving family members who survive include his wife, Joann Vann of Sidney, Australia; four daughters, Caleea Chenay Vann of St. Paul, Minn., Alannah Vann, Mikeala Vann and Justice Vann; two sons, Andrew and Patrick Vann, all of Sidney, Australia; his mother, Willa Vann of South Bend, Ind.; six sisters, Dorothy Lucas of Clinton, Miss., Ruby Frison Vann, Dollie Vann Dempsey, Rose Vann Thesing, Genola (Richard III) Johnson and Stephanie Vann, all of South Bend; seven brothers, Andre Jackson of Chicago, Ill., Booker (Brenda) Vann of Middletown, Ohio, Johnny Lee Vann of Ithaca, N.Y., Tommy Lee Vann, Eddie Vann, Amos Vann and Patrick Fitzgerald Vann, all of South Bend; special friends, Tanya, Kyle Bowerman, Archie Robinson and Terry Owens; along with a host of other relatives and friends.
Roger was preceded in death by his father, Booker T. Vann; brother, Sol Lee Vann; and by a sister, Pearl Vann Hermon.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, in Alford's Mortuary. Visitation will occur one hour prior to services in the chapel.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary.
03/18/2022 DEC
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