Obituaries

Troy Benjamin Vann, 31, was born in Fort Worth, Texas to John David Vann and Patricia Ann Hollmann. His early years of childhood were spent in Texas.

By 1994, Troy's father moved with him here to make their home, in the Upper Peninsula - Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

For most of his school years, Troy lived with his dad. A huge part of his up-bringing was thanks to his aunts, Marie Vann, and Laura Vann. As a child, Troy would do excellent in school. He would play soccer and video games for fun. He was surrounded by family who loved and cherished him deeply. Later on, one of his main interests was the chess club. He was an amazing chess player - in fact, he would excel and usually win at any kind of card or video game he took on.

It wasn't until his late childhood and early teens that Troy's kidney problems started to badly affect his life. At age 14 his life was saved by receiving one of John's kidneys. This served him very well until his late twenties.

The new life that was fought so hard for, now included Carrie. Carrie-Anne Peters was the love and joy of his life. She came to the Soo to be with Troy. They married, and they had over 7 happy years together.

Ultimately that kidney failed, and Troy had to carry on by receiving dialysis, in order to keep up the fight for a new kidney and a new life.

Carrie and Troy's gentle personalities and sense of care for others fit them together very well. They cared for Troy's Aunt Laura through her final years. They took drives and played games with their very good and faithful friends. Their first years were joyful, fun, loving. Unfortunately, once the donated kidney began to fail, it meant that their last years held many hardships. Deeply committed to each other, they walked these years boldly and courageously doing all they knew how to do, trying to make it through to a new kidney and the new life they'd dreamed of.

Troy was determined through very trying times. He had courage and grit and brushed off some of the hardest times with his beautiful sense of humor and levity. Near the end of his life, his vision started to fail. When Troy's vision deterioration continued, he felt very disheartened. In the end, he died quite quickly and peacefully, in the early hours of April 23, 2023 at home with Carrie.

All who knew him mourn the tragic loss of this warm, caring, and charming young life.
Troy is survived by his loving wife, Carrie-Ann Peters Vann; father, John David Vann; mother, Patricia Hollmann; sister, Haley Lee; brothers, Ian Lutrell Wilson and Joshua Michael Wilson; and niece, Olivia Dilley.

Troy is predeceased by his grandfather, Coman Vann; and aunts, Laura Vann and Marie Eva Vann.
Memorial Service will be Friday May 5, 2023 at 2:00pm at the Bread of Life Church, 1001 Cedar St. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, with Pastor James Colegrove, Sr. officiating. Everyone is invited to stay after the service for refreshments and a time to visit. There will be a private graveside gathering at a later date. Final resting place is Donaldson Cemetery. Clark Hovie Galer Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.