Lance Mangum

Lance Mangum was born August 22, 1958 to Kenneth and Hazel (Coffey) Mangum in Raleigh, NC. He grew up and lived in the same house his father built in the town of Fuquay-Varina. In 1976, he graduated from Fuquay High School. Afterward he graduated from Wake Technical Community College with an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology and a Diploma in Radio and Television Servicing.
For 41 years, he worked at North Carolina State University in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department as an Information Technological Systems Administrator. During his time there he created the first website for his department and helped work on mechanisms that were used in NASA's Mars Mission Research Center (M2RC). He loved his time there and witnessed an incredible amount of change within his field.

Lance was Victoria’s true love. There's no telling how many times he told the story of how they met on Topsail Island 47 years ago. Growing up we knew the ice cream shop they frequented for dates and which beachside they spent all day talking while our dad was baking in the sun. He’d reminisce how he went home the next day covered in blisters, but laid in bed smiling because he was in love. Throughout their years together it was their faith that strengthened and sustained them. Their commitment to the vows they made to God and to each other was their highest priority.

He was our 'fix-it' guy. He could fix almost anything. If it could be taken apart, he could put it back together. When our sister, Rachel, was little she brought her balloon fragments to mom and stated with utmost confidence, "daddy can fix it." He rescued us on the side of the road many times. Whether there was a flat tire, snapped belt or overheating engine he knew what to do. We will miss holding a light over a foreign and confusing engine while our dad worked away and got our cars running again.

He loved many things in life including Star Trek, Camaros, music, and was an audiophile who also ran sound at church and for television studio recordings. However, his greatest love was for his Lord Jesus Christ. His faith was the most important thing in his life. He taught us to love the Lord and to live our lives for Him. He exhibited all the fruits of the Spirit and many can attest to the kind way in which he treated them. The last year of his life he spent time with Victoria working at a food ministry while enjoying helping the people that he met there every week.

Following a far too quick illness, Lance passed away surrounded by his family and was welcomed into Heaven by His Savior on March 19, 2026. He was deeply loved and will be immensely missed. We are so very thankful for the time that we had together and know that we will see him again one day.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Kent Mangum and Ron Mangum. He leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Victoria (Vickie) Mangum and four beautiful children, Abigail Costanzo and husband Tony, Elizabeth Pearce and husband Nathan, Rachel Mangum-Feliz and husband Caesar, Jonathan Mangum and wife, Amy. He also leaves behind 9 delightful grandchildren: Sarah, Alexandria, Chloe, Kailyn, Anna, Lyllyana, Joseph, Ryker and Grayson.

Please join us at the Celebration of Life service for Lance on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM at the Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church located at 301 N Woodrow St., Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.