Vance Wilkinson Rowe

Vance Wilkinson Rowe, of Schertz, Texas, passed away on May 13, 2026 at the age of 19. 

Vance was a bright shining light to all of us. He loved his family and friends dearly, and he was, and is, so loved in return. He was sweet, silly, humble, kind, practical, no fuss. He was such a loving young man, with a big smile and cute dimples. He always said “yes” when he was asked to help out or do a task. He was kind and respectful to his family and friends always, and he loved spending time with his friends and his cousins. He had a beautiful smile, which people spoke about his whole life. Family, friends, teachers, and even strangers went out of their way to remark about his beautiful (and frequent) smiles. Vance was self-disciplined and enjoyed working out at the gym. He also took great care of, and had a great deal of pride in, his very beautiful hair. He had his own unique sense of style and was fashionable in a sensible way.

Vance was a creative person, who learned and played several musical instruments, including piano, french horn, mellophone, guitar, violin, and drums. He also composed electronic beats. He left us several beautiful paintings and was a lover of puzzles and creative online outlets.

Throughout the years, Vance’s teachers commented on his sense of responsibility and readiness to learn. They named him as a leader and a classroom role model. And, throughout his schooling, he smiled a lot. Vance earned and received numerous academic awards. In seventh grade, he was invited by the Duke Talent Identification Program to take the SAT, on which he scored only 60 points below national recognition. Vance was a member of the National Honors Society. He received the “AP Scholar with Distinction” title from the College Board, scoring fours and fives on most of his AP tests. He enrolled in all of the most difficult high school classes and took as many of them as he could. He received the UIL Scholar Award given to the student “whose academic and extracurricular achievements have been exemplary and whose self-discipline in preparation and integrity in competition are a model to others.” Vance received the Samuel Clemens High School Merit Award for being in the top 20 students of his graduating class–he was number 7 out of 537 students. During his Junior and Senior years, Vance volunteered at the San Antonio Food Bank at Haven for Hope, preparing food for immigrants and preparing and serving food to Haven for Hope’s residents. He also volunteered at various places as a young boy including New Braunfels Food Bank and The Animal Defense League of Texas. He also participated in concession stand cleaning and sales for Samuel Clemens Marching Band and Theatre Department. Vance was accepted to the Engineering Program at Texas A&M University at College Station and to The University of Texas at Austin. He chose to study engineering at A&M and was enrolled there during the Fall of 2025 and the Spring of 2026.

Vance is survived by his Mom Stacie Cheser-Rowe, his Dad Jonathan M. Rowe, his Sister Devyn J. Rowe-Kech and her Spouse Bryce E. Kech, his Grandmothers Elaine Cheser and Dariel Rowe, and his Grandfather Peter Rowe. He is also survived by nine Aunts, eight Uncles, and eighteen Cousins as well as many dear Friends and extended family. Vance is preceded by his Great Grandmother June Cheser, Grandfather Gregg Cheser, and Great Aunt Jaquelyn Burdett.

A Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00AM at Schertz Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations to be made to Haven for Hope, or Corazon Day Center in San Antonio.