James Henry Reginald Evans

Jim was born in 1933 in London, England and then moved with his family to New Zealand in 1950. He became a pilot, and in 1953 joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force where he honed his aviation skills, setting the stage for a lifetime of aerial adventures. His love of flying took him and two friends back to London where they flew a Percival Proctor to Australia in 1955. In 1964 he left New Zealand to move to Canada to start his own aerial seeding company. In 1965 he met and married Eileen and they had two children.

Jim became somewhat of a pioneer and a beloved member of the Chilliwack aviation community. Throughout the years, he gained many flight hours flying in and around Chilliwack, but his work took him all over the province and across the country. He was a certified Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, and shared his knowledge and experience with many fellow pilots.

He continued to soar through the skies into his 80s, embodying a spirit of adventure and resilience that inspired those who knew him. Jim was involved with the Chilliwack Flying Club, Model Airplane Club and volunteered at Flightfest for many years.

Jim is survived by son Mike (Shannon), granddaughter Quinn, daughter Kathy (Edward), former spouse and friend Eileen, Brother Frank (Adrienne) and various nieces and nephews.

His kind heart, smile and sense of humour will be missed.

A special thanks to the wonderful staff at Eden Care where dad spent his final years.

There will be a Celebration of Life Saturday, July 6 at 3 pm at the Flying Club in Chilliwack

“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”

– Leonardo DaVinci