James Howard Evans Sr.

EVANS, James Howard, Sr. –age 82- passed away Sunday May 29, 2011 of complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Jim was born July 30, 1928 in Franklin, Tennessee as the son of the late Stella Black Evans and Jesse Otto Evans. He was a member of the class of 1947 at West End High School and was an active member of the school alumni association until his death. He attended Peabody College and Vanderbilt University before joining the U.S. military to serve during the Korean War. He served at the U.S. army field evacuation hospital in Baumholder, Germany until his discharge in 1955. His 33 year career with Aladdin Industries took his family from Nashville to Greensboro, North Carolina and eventually back to Nashville in 1967. Following his retirement in 1991, Jim joined the staff of Grand Ole Opry tours and found his calling as a music and historical guide to many Nashville visitors. Jim was a longtime member of First Baptist Church and was an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 121 of the Boy Scouts of America at Woodmont Baptist Church. Jim felt strongly about the values, morals and mission of scouting and used his great sense of humor and teaching ability to instill these values of God, country and service to others to many youngsters during their scouting experience. In recent years he was an active and supportive grandparent who never missed sporting events, band concerts and plays at the Ensworth School where his grandchildren attend. He was an avid fisherman and greatly enjoyed time on Kentucky Lake. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Sadie Polk Evans, his brother Joseph B. Evans (Mildred) of Nashville, a son James Howard Evans, Jr. (Renee’) of Knoxville, TN, a daughter Nancy Evans Parrish (Nate) of Nashville, grandchildren Nathan Craig Parrish, Jr., Coleman Craig Parrish, Elizabeth Evans Parrish, Corinne Evans Parrish of Nashville, Caitlin Elise Evans of Knoxville and Catherine Nichole Mount of Raleigh, N.C. as well as several nieces and nephews. A brother Earl Haywood Evans preceded him in death. The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Kaminski, Dr. Ryan Mire, Dr. Thomas Johnston, Dr. James Baker, Dr. James Holbrook, Dr. Seth Cooper and the staff of Alive Hospice and Saint Thomas hospital for their compassionate care and support during a long illness. Visitation with the family will take place from 11am to 1pm Thursday June 2 at First Baptist Church located at 7th Avenue and Broadway with funeral services to follow at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Interment to follow at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Boy Scouts of America, 3414 Hillsboro Road, Nashville, TN 37215. Arrangements under the direction of Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home, Nashville, Tennessee.