Stephen Richard Evans

Stephen Richard Evans was born June 14, 1974, to Farida “Lida” Watchanee Chompanantana and Fred Evans in Lubbock, Texas. After they tried their hand at farming, they moved to Oklahoma City, and Fred started working in oil and gas accounting which moved the family to Abu Dhabi. His family finally settled in Oklahoma City where his parents opened one of the first Thai restaurants in the area, Bangkok Restaurant, which became a family affair. After graduating Putnam City North high school, Stephen joined the Air Force and was stationed in Guam and in New Jersey.

After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Stephen returned to Oklahoma City, and it was at Bangkok that he met the love of his life, Michelle Rickard, on August 15, 1997. Michelle and her mother and stepfather were regulars at the restaurant and the families had been friends for several years. On one of their numerous trips to New Orleans, their favorite place, Stephen asked Michelle to marry him on December 31, 1998. They were married at First Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City on October 15, 1999, in front of many friends and family.

Stephen loved airplanes and loved to fly. Upon completing flight school, he was hired by Mathis Brothers Furniture and was their pilot for 20 years serving as Chief Pilot for most of those years. On February 27, 2003, they welcomed their beloved son, Hayden Stephenson Rickard Evans. Their favorite family activity was traveling, and Michelle and Stephen made it a priority to take Hayden to most of the United States and all over the world. As a result, they had friends from all the places they traveled. When he was not flying, Stephen loved history, listening to music, and watching history and travel blogs with his family. He tolerated (and loved) Michelle’s habit of loving and trying to save dogs. They had multiple dogs over the years, and he became the biggest fan after much protest: Mon Cherie’, Winston, Nola, Louis, Aurora Belle, Prince Phillip, and Koda.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Michelle, his son - Hayden, his parents - Fred and Lida, siblings -Sheila Taiclet and her husband TC and Kathy Williams and her husband Tom, brother Kevin and his husband Kyle, brothers-in-law Bobby Rickard, and Derek Smith, sister-in-laws Quincy Adams and Michelle Harris, nieces - Phoebe and Sophie Taiclet, nephew - Kane Nash and mothers in law Cyndi and Bobbie Adams.

Following a short illness, Stephen passed away on the morning of July 30, 2023. His winning smile and amazing wit will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and those who knew him. A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, at 11 am, First Presbyterian Church, 1001 NW 25th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73106, (25th & N. Western).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an education fund for Hayden S. R. Evans at BancFirst.