James Coy Vance

CAPTAIN JAMES COY VANCE
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

James Coy "Jim" Vance was born in Coldwater, Kansas, to Coy and Nona (Jordan) Vance. Moving frequently during his childhood, Jim attended eight different schools across Kansas before graduating from Bazine High School in 1953. He continued his education at Fort Hays Kansas State College for two years during an era when the campus enrolled just 600 students, before earning an appointment to the inaugural class of the United States Air Force Academy in 1955.

At the Academy, Jim was assigned to Cadet Squadron 5. A well-rounded cadet with wide-ranging creative and technical interests, he served as the cadet in charge of the Music Group and actively participated in the Radio Club, Model Engineering Club, and Fishing Club, while also playing on the Academy soccer team.

On June 3, 1959, he graduated as part of USAFA's historic first class.

MILITARY SERVICE & FLYING CAREER

Following graduation, Captain Vance entered Primary and Basic Pilot Training at Bainbridge Air Base, Georgia, and Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. After earning his pilot wings in 1960, he spent five years as an Air Force Instructor Pilot at Vance AFB. Off duty, Jim demonstrated his early love for mechanical engineering by racing Volkswagen Beetles during his spare time in Oklahoma.

In 1965, Capt. Vance transferred overseas to Toul-Rosières Air Base, France, serving as a tactical reconnaissance pilot with the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. During his assignment in France and Germany, Jim and his family spent their leaves exploring Europe, including visits to historic sites such as the World War II air base at Ulm, Germany.

During the Vietnam War, Capt. Vance served in Southeast Asia, spending 13 months, 7 days, and 6.5 hours in the combat zone. Stationed at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand with Task Force Alpha, he managed Operations Reports and flew tactical reconnaissance missions. Throughout his 10-year Air Force career, Jim commanded a wide variety of aircraft, including the T-33 Shooting Star, T-38 Talon, AC-47 "Spooky" gunship, and the RF-4C Phantom II reconnaissance fighter. In 1969, facing a probable second deployment to Southeast Asia, he chose to transition from active duty to civilian engineering.

INVENTION OF THE SERPENTINE BELT & ENGINEERING LEGACY

Settling in Colorado, Jim built a home in Castle Rock—where he lived for 16 years—and joined the Gates Rubber Company in Denver as Manager of Equipment and Process Development. Over a 25-year career at Gates (1969–1994), he built a reputation as a remarkably gifted inventor, eventually securing 43 U.S. patents before retiring in 1995.

Prior to the 1970s, automobile engines required up to four separate V-belts to drive accessories like the alternator, water pump, air conditioning, and power steering. Recognizing that evolving automotive designs required a simpler solution, Jim drafted a matrix of known engineering parameters and placed it in a desk drawer. The next morning, he had his "light bulb moment" and began designing what would become the serpentine drive belt in 1974.

Although initially turned down by General Motors, Jim found a breakthrough with Ford Motor Company. In 1978, Ford needed to shoehorn a V-8 engine into the Mustang engine compartment without costly retooling. Jim demonstrated how a single, continuous, multi-ribbed serpentine belt could fit all accessories into the tight space. Ford installed the belt in 10,000 Mustangs that year, expanding it to 100% of Mustangs by 1980 and saving the automaker millions. General Motors adopted the design in 1982, and today the serpentine belt is standard on nearly every internal combustion vehicle on the road.

Beyond automotive systems, many of Jim's patents focused on specialized oilfield and industrial fluid transmission equipment, including the inflatable packer hose, inflatable downhole packer, and reinforced inflatable packer.

PERSONAL LIFE, HOBBIES & COMMUNITY IMPACT

Jim married and raised four children: Gary, Holly, Lori, and James Jr. After retiring from Gates Rubber Company in 1995, Jim returned home to rural Kansas, choosing a property in Claflin near his sister. He deeply admired the community spirit and values of small-town Kansas. He said, “People are innocent here." "They are the salt of the earth. There is a real sense of right and wrong here. Families participate in church and the community supports kids." He found the perfect home in Claflin that was well engineered, the design had a south-facing orientation for passive winter heating and secured roof trusses directly to rebar for high-wind protection.

An energetic maker throughout his life, Jim constructed two kit airplanes and built five replica automobiles, including a detailed Lamborghini replica.

He was equally dedicated to community service. For 11 years in Claflin, Jim served as the local elementary school’s "official second-grade grandpa," spending time each week listening to young students read—an experience he noted regularly "recharged his smile batteries."

Legacy & Passing

Captain James Coy Vance passed away in 2020. A funeral service was held at the Claflin United Methodist Church, followed by burial in Claflin Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his son, James Jr., brothers Jack and Jerry, and sisters Vera, Virginia, Carol, and Bonnie. He is survived by his son Gary, daughters Holly and Lori, sister Barbara, 13 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

EDUCATION

Bazine High School (Bazine, KS) High School Diploma Graduated 1953
Fort Hays Kansas State College Undergraduate Studies 1953–1955
United States Air Force Academy B.S., Inaugural Class of 1959 (CS-05) 1955–1959
USAF Pilot Training Military Aviator Rating 1959–1960

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

1959–1960 Pilot Training Bainbridge AB, GA & Vance AFB, OK
1960–1965 Instructor Pilot Vance Air Force Base, OK
1965–1968 Tactical Reconnaissance Pilot 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (Toul-Rosières AB, France & Germany)
1968–1969 Operations Reports / Tactical Recon Task Force Alpha (Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand)

AIRCRAFT FLOWN

• T-33 Shooting Star
• T-38 Talon
• AC-47 "Spooky" Gunship
• RF-4C Phantom II

MAJOR PATENTS & INVENTIONS

• Serpentine Drive Belt (1974): Universal automotive innovation replacing multiple engine V-belts with a single multi-ribbed continuous belt.
• Oilfield & Industrial Fluid Systems: Patents including the Inflatable Packer Hose, Inflatable Downhole Packer, and Reinforced Inflatable Packer.
• 43 Total U.S. Patents: Developed during 25 years as Manager of Equipment and Process Development at Gates Rubber Company.