In Memory of Vance Victor Vostel, Jr.

Vance Victor Vostel, Jr., 81, passed in his home in Alamogordo, NM on January 6, 2025. Vance lived the majority of his life in Alamogordo and worked primarily as a projectionist, manager, and operator in local cinemas.

A lifelong lover of all things film, Vance owned a local video store (Action Video on White Sands Blvd) in the 1980s and ‘90s. Vance was an only child and though he never married and was not one to socialize, he found a brother-in-life. He met his best friend, Jeff Thurman, in 1966 and the two have remained in touch weekly ever since. Vance became a part of the Thurman family once he and Jeff met and in 1976, “Little Vance” Thurman was born, named after his “Uncle” and Godfather, Vance Vostel, Jr.

Vance is preceded in death by his father, Vance Victor Vostel, Sr. and his loving mother, Julia Mae Vostel (Ernst). He is survived by his chosen brother, Jeff Thurman and his wife, Sharon Thurman and their children, Vance (Robin, grandnephew William) and Melissa (Adam McDonald).

Vance will be tremendously missed, and his memory will live forever.

The Vostel/Thurman family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home.