The only way you might have gotten Vance Gerry to an awards banquet would have been to drag him there in irons. Vance just wasn't into awards and recognition. Regardless of his attempts to stay out of the spotlight, everyone was well aware of his terrific contributions to the fine art of animation and the craft of storytelling. Vance began his career at Disney in 1955 and stayed there. He started as an Assistant Inbetweener, became a Layout Artist and went on to become a Story Artist on the Disney TV shows. His first credit as a story man on a feature was with 101 Dalmatians. He continued as a storyman on Jungle Book, The Aristocats, Robin Hood, The Rescuers, Winnie the Pooh, The Great Mouse Detective, Oliver and Company, Pocahontas, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Tarzan, Fantasia 2000,and Home on the Range.In real life Vance was a printer. Vance ran the Weather Bird Press with his partner Patrick Reagh, and they produced fine, privately printed small press books that were well regarded by small press book collectors everywhere. Vance Gerry passed away on March 4.
Here to accept Vance's Golden Award is his wife of 48 years, Mary Gerry.