FORMER YAMAHA EXEC DENNIS VAN VACTOR PASSES AWAY D ennis Van Vactor, who served at Ya- maha Corp. of America for 27 years,
passed away on Aug. 16. He was 79. Van Vactor joined Yamaha in 1980 as a district manager for the company’s DMI Division, bringing years of experience as a performer, retailer and advocate for music education. Over nearly three decades with Yamaha, he also served as district man-
Dennis Van Vactor
ager in the company’s keyboard division. He retired in 2007. “I have so many fond memories of Dennis,” said Dan Rodow- icz, senior director, piano sales, Yamaha Corp. of America. “I first met him when I was a product specialist for the former Yamaha piano division, later serving as a district manager. Over the years, we logged countless miles and shared plenty of laughs together. Dennis was the consummate Yamaha district manager — dedi- cated, professional and deeply respected. But to me, he was much more than a colleague; he was also a trusted friend and mentor.” Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and raised in Wyoming and Spearfish, South Dakota, Van Vactor was a pianist from a young age, performing professionally by age 12 and touring across the U.S. and Canada before starting his business career. In 1970, he co-founded Stephenson’s Music in Rapid City, South Dakota, with Glenn DePue before beginning his long career at Yamaha. Following his retirement, Van Vactor returned to his roots as a pianist and arranger, performing with ensembles, while con- tinuing to champion music education. {usa.yamaha.com}
ELLIS COUNTY MUSIC CENTER’S FOUNDER PASSES AWAY T im Grant, founder of El- lis County Music Center in
Waxahachie, Texas, passed away on Aug. 19. He was 74. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our company founder, Tim Grant Sr. ‘Senior,’ as he is affectionately known amongst our team, was a visionary for Ellis County Music Center,” the company released in
Ellis County Music Center founder Tim Grant, with his wife, Joyce Grant.
a statement. “His passion and interest for learning music [wove] its way through genres from The Beatles, to Bluegrass, and onward to great Jazz guitarists, such as Joe Pass and Chet Atkins.” Grant grew up in Dallas among the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and started playing guitar at the age of 12, when he watched The Beatles perform live on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. “Senior was a great visionary for our company, and a wonder- ful father to his family,” said Tim Grant, his son and company president. “Undoubtedly, he was a great man of faith. His tenac- ity in all the challenges he faced has left an imprint on both his family and company. I am proud to have had the opportunity to call him father. His legacy will not be forgotten by our team, nor those who knew him.” {elliscountymusiccenter.com}
OCTOBER 2025 I MUSIC INC. I 21
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