James Evans

Our beloved Jim Evans was born September 5th, 1929 in Palouse, Washington. Born to Lewis and Katherine Evans, he lived most of his life in Longview, Washington. Jim loved the peacefulness of fishing, singing, and playing the harmonica. He also enjoyed playing football for the Longview High School Lumberjacks. Music, however, was his gift, and he sang at many social events. When he graduated from High School he received four-year scholarships for both voice and football. Attending Lower Columbia Junior College in Longview, Jim kept studying and performing music. It was during this time that he met his beloved wife, Myrna Evelyn Yaden. They met while performing music together. Jim decided after a year of school to join the United States Air Force, serving from 1950 to 1953. While in the Air Force, Jim performed the duties of a chaplain’s assistant, and lead the chapel’s music ministry. Jim and Myrna married on July 8, 1951 and were happily married for 72 years. In 1953 he went back to college at Pacific Lutheran University after completing his service obligation to the U.S. Air Force and returning home from England. While in school he played football for two years. During his time in school, Jim decided that music was his calling. But, he pursued and received a bachelor’s degree in Business. After graduation, Jim worked nine years for Boeing as a purchasing agent. Jim’s home life was blessed with two daughters. Laurel Evans Henderson came along in March 1957, and Jane Evans Mancino joined the family in May, 1960. Both Jim and Myrna accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and became strong Christians, wanting to serve the Lord. In 1969, the family moved to Huntington Beach, California and Jim began his career with Dayspring Card Company putting Christian books, cards, and literature in book stores across a large portion of the United States. Jim and Myrna drove thousands of miles together criss-crossing the United States during his career. While home, Jim and his family were blessed to attend Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa California with Pastor Chuck Smith, experiencing the Jesus Movement first hand. Moving back to the Northwest in 1981, Jim and family settled in Tacoma, Washington. He continued his career with Dayspring cards and after twenty-five years as their sales representative he retired in 1999. Jim recorded three Christian CDs and sang in numerous churches. He and Myrna sang in the choir at Life Center in Tacoma for eleven years and enjoyed being a part of the Singing Christmas Tree and Easter celebrations every year. By 2017, Laurel, Jane, and their husbands were living in Virginia. Jim and Myrna moved to Stafford to join them in August of 2021. Jim passed away on April 9, 2024 in his home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Katherine Evans; and his siblings, Katherine Halvorsen, Nadine Dundas, and Bill and Dan Evans. He is survived by his wife, Myrna; daughters, Laurel Henderson and Jane Mancino; grandchildren, Eric Mancino, Jaime and Ryan Henderson; and great grandchildren, Caleb and Landon Mancino and Dempsey Henderson. An inurnment for Mr. Evans will be held at Quantico National Cemetery on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 9:30am. A Celebration of Life service will occur on 7 September 2024 in Lawton, Oklahoma at 11:00 a.m. This will be held at Faith Family Fellowship Church with Pastor Ron and Betsy Dupont officiating who are longtime friends of Jim and Myrna and dearly loved by all the family In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Family Fellowship, 14 SW F Ave, Lawton, OK 73501