John Vince

February 4, 1946 - July 24, 2024

John, passed away at age 78 of cancer. He is survived by his spouse, Hanna Spit Vince '70, sons Jonathan Vince '98 and Allan Vince '00, and seven grandchildren.

The story of John Lee Vince began when his parents Horace and Florence Johnson Vince '32, and his sister, Christine Vince Seidel '62 welcomed the future gentle giant into their family. He grew up happy and carefree in South Pasadena, the town where his own mother and aunts had also been raised. John attended Marengo Elementary, South Pasadena Junior High, and graduated in 1963 from South Pasadena High School. He was a member of the SPHS football team under Coach Ray Solari and was even commissioned by the school principal to design the SPHS Tiger Emblem and crest that still adorns the gymnasium next to the track and field.

As a boy growing up in South Pasadena, he loved to use his intelligent hands to build things like model cars and airplanes and fly-fishing lures. He also liked to draw, as it just came naturally to him. In high school his teachers really began to affirm his artistic gifts, leading him to get his degree at Art Center College of Design.

Not long after graduating, he boarded a freighter and sailed overseas to live in Holland for several years, where he went to work for an advertising firm. At the time, he had no clue that he was living in the birth country of his future wife. A few years passed and he moved back overseas to South Pasadena. Then one summer he met Hanna. She too had grown up in South Pasadena after emigrating from Holland at the age of five. The two of them had actually gone to the same schools from K-12, starting with Marengo Elementary. However, being a few years ahead of Hanna in school meant that John didn't actually get to meet her until the summer of 1979, when he was asked to help her move a refrigerator into her apartment, and the rest is history.

John and Hanna were married in 1979 and lived off of Rollin Street next to the middle school with their two children. John was still an artist by vocation, and his talent served all kinds of industries, not to mention album covers of famous musicians like Frank Zappa. John was a master of visual compositions, lettering, and logos, all of which he enjoyed creating, but his true happy place was in his own home art studio where he was free to paint from nothing other than the overflow of his soul. John was a devout Christian man who dedicated his life to studying God's word and serving his family and church.

John is survived by his wife of 45 years, Hanna; his two sons, Jonathan and Allan; his seven grandchildren (Christian, Sabrina, Evanna, Gallant, Henry, Zander, Moriah), and his sister Christine.

Allan Vince '00

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John was my cousin and an altogether nice guy. John leaves behind his wife, Hanna Spit Vince '70 and sons, Jonathan Vince '98 and Allan Vince '00 - along with seven adoring grandkids and two daughters-in-law (Sol and Sarah). Other survivors include John's sister, Christine Vince Seidel '62; cousins Steve Ledder '60, Fred Ledder '63, and Dave Ledder '65. Also cousin Greg Cocks '68. Cousins originally from Arizona, Leslie and Walker Hall also survive John. A niece, Katie, also misses her Uncle John.

John was very artistic and always, it seemed, in a good mood. He had a good sense of humor and never took himself too seriously. He will be missed by all who knew this great guy.

Steve Ledder '60, cousin