Vance Hambelton age 79 of Gainesville left this earth and went to his heavenly home on Monday March 2, 2026, at 1:20 am at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, MO, while surrounded by his family. Vance's passing was unexpected, as he suffered a deep brain bleed.

Vance, a kind and loving Christian man with a hard head, was a loving husband, a father, a papa, a son, a brother, and a friend. He had a sparkle and a smile that everyone will remember. Vance graduated from Gainesville High School in 1964. He attended what is now MSU but transferred to Arkansas State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education.

He married the love of his life Phyllis Jones on September 14, 1968, in West Plains Missouri. Vance continued his education at The University of Missouri receiving a master’s degree in Agricultural Education while working as a Vocational Agriculture Teacher at Dora High School. Vance started the Vocational Agricultural Department (FFA) at Dora High School. After finishing his master’s degree, Vance took a job with the University of Missouri Extension as a 4-H Youth Specialist. He worked with the area youth at county fairs, DOW Camp and a few 4-H Groups, one that his wife, Phyllis led and his children were members of. Vance had other titles while at MU Extension. He was the county Program Director and an Agronomist (aka knowledgeable about grasses and caring for cows.) Vance retired from Extension in March of 2008 and his brother, Stacy took over that role. Later Renee was able to work in the same office that her dad had worked teaching nutrition.

Vance enjoyed sports, shooting the basketball around with his kids, playing co-ed rag ball with his kids but more than anything he enjoyed watching his 2 grandsons play those sports. He and Renee would travel to watch Bryce and Andrew any chance they had, even longer trips to the State Tournament. Bryce and Andrew were his world, he would do almost anything they asked, feeding them hot dogs and ice cream anytime they were at his house. (they can tell you those stories) Vance liked to fish and hunt (he was my hunting buddy for years-Renee) but nothing was ever quite as great as spending time with those boys. Vance was a member of the Gainesville Church of Christ, a kind and great example of a Christian man that always kept the course even when the road was truly rough. He always has kept his eyes on the Lord and taught his kids to put God first.

Vance is survived by his children Brian (Casey) Hambelton, Renee Hambelton all of Gainesville; his grandsons Bryce and Andrew Hambelton of Gainesville; his siblings Patricia (Roger) Jarman of Springfield MO, Stacy (Brenda) Hambelton of Gainesville; his brothers-in-law Buddy Jones and Don (Nicole) Jones of Bogalusa LA; sisters-in-law Linda Lewis of Mt View MO, Pam(Eddie) Ogden of Gainesville, and Jennifer (Ray) Pingelton of West Plains; many nieces and nephews; family and friends young and old.

Vance is preceded in death by: his wife Phyllis; his sons Brad and Steven; his parents Hugo and Lura Hambelton; his in laws Louis and Elizabeth Jones and his sister Charlotte Barr.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2026, at the Gainesville Church of Christ. Officiating will be Halbert Smith. Visitation will be Wednesday evening, March 4, 2026, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home chapel, Gainesville. Burial will be in the Patrick Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Patrick Cemetery, or the Brad and Vance Hambelton Scholarship Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.