Vance George Youens died peacefully at home on July 13, 2025 in Bertram, Texas at the age of 77.

Vance was born on August 21, 1947 in Austin, Texas to Willis and Ruth Youens. He grew up in Weimar, Texas where he was very involved in high school sports and FFA. As a small town boy, he played every quarter of the football games and also marched in the band playing the tuba during half time. He was a very proud Eagle Scout, carrying his card in his wallet until the day that he died, and graduated from Weimar High School in 1964. He attended Texas Lutheran College where he was a member of Sigma Lambda Chi, graduating in 1969 with a double major of biology and chemistry. It was at TLC where he met his sweetheart Cookie Hayes. Vance and Cookie were married on May 23,1970 in Austin, Texas. Vance enlisted in the US Air Force and served for six years during the Vietnam War era, achieving the rank of Captain. They lived on Air Force bases all over the country during those years and formed so many lifelong friendships.

He and Cookie started their family when Brandy was born in 1973 at Laredo Air Force Base and Jason followed in 1975 at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas. The family relocated back to Austin in 1976. Vance was very involved in their activities ranging from the baseball coach of many teams to Anderson High School Band Booster president. He loved the outdoors and spent many years hunting, sharing that love with his son and grandsons. He taught many neighborhood kids how to waterski over the years and really loved to be out on the lake. Most people remember him as the life of the party, as he and Cookie loved to host gatherings with friends over the years. He spent many years in Austin as a stockbroker and retired to the ranch in Bertram where he and Cookie raised Longhorns.

Vance had a stroke in 2017 on a flight home from Ireland and never fully recovered. Cookie spent many years caring for him and helping him get to every football or baseball game possible to see his grandsons play. He was so proud of all of his grandchildren and will miss seeing them grow up. The family would like to thank all of the family and friends that have helped and checked in to visit over the last few years, while Vance was less mobile.

Vance is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 55 years Jennie “Cookie” Hayes Youens; daughter Brandy Youens Hafner and husband Dave of Austin, Texas, son Jason Youens and wife Jamie of Waco, Texas, grandchildren Jackson and Caroline Hafner of Austin and Kate, John, and Camp Youens of Waco, Texas; sister Willa Youens Jepson of Houston, sister-in-law Barbara Youens of Rayne, Louisiana, brother Bobby and his wife Linda of Carmine, Texas. He was preceded in death by his brother James and his parents Dr. Willis Youens and mother Ruth Vance Youens of Weimar, Texas.

The family would like to thank New Century Hospice for their kind support they showed to Vance and myself. In particular Gavan Rorie, Kassy Meyers, Gale Urness and Clydie Taylor. We would also like to thank Kathryn Avery and Ellen Lee for the loving care they showed to Vance.

There will be a private celebration of Vance’s life at a future date. Vance would have liked for everyone to drink a toast to friendship and enjoy football season!