JAMES STEPHEN EVANS
September 21, 1936 – April 13, 2015
James Stephen Evans was born September 21, 1936 in
Burlington, Iowa to Leslie and Gwendolyn Evans. After 78 years of high octane living Jim went to his heavenly home Monday, April 13, 2015. Jim graduated from Freeport High School, Freeport, Illinois, a proud member of the Freeport Pretzels. While in high school, Jim and 4 other Pretzels formed the "Gabota", a club of friends for life that continues to meet together to this day. After high school, He then attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1958 with a BA in Business. He was active an active member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Jim was an extremely successful insurance salesman. His motto was "I am not persistent, I just never go away." He spent 39 years with American Fidelity Assurance Company. After countless golf games, conventions, and social hours, he retired in 2001 as Vice President in charge of National Sales. In his retirement, Jim continued to sell insurance and spent more time with his grandchildren. Jim loved his family. He enjoyed 55 years of marriage to Carolyn Burton Evans, while raising 3 children: Cindy, married to Larry Conant, Steve, and Mark, married to Stacie Koehler Evans. All presently living in Edmond and Oklahoma City. Jim and Carolyn cheered their grandchildren on in countless games of soccer, volleyball, football, as well as concerts, award ceremonies and worship services. Being huge Sooner fans, they also became Air Force Falcon fans for the last 4 years. Jim rarely missed a grandchild's event and loved to brag about them to anyone who would listen. He was blessed with a second wave of grandchildren in the last 5 years, bringing a new wave of joy in his life. Jim loved to play golf and was fortunate to mix golf with selling insurance. He was blessed to spend his last days watching the Mastersand visiting with family. Jim and Carolyn have been members of St. Mary's Episcopal Church for 32 years. They served on the vestry, in the choir and Jim loved to greet people and make them feel welcome and comfortable. They have developed many treasured relationships over these years as they lived life together. Since graduating from OU, Jim has bled crimson and cream. He succeeded in sending 2 of his children to OU and raised them all on Boomer Sooner. OU football game days became a highlight for them, having season tickets for 20 years. Jim was the ultimate survivor in life, having battled cancer for 20 years.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Burton Evans: daughter, Cindy Conant, husband Larry, and children, Jon, Lindy, Steven, his wife Carleigh, Will and Kari of Edmond: his son Steve Evans of Oklahoma City, his son Mark Evans and wife Stacie Koehler Evans and children, Ethan, Olivia, Elizabeth and Luke of Nichols Hills. The Evans family wants to thank Integris Cancer Institute and Dr. Brian Geister and staff for all the concern and care poured out on Jim during the past 20 years. His "bumps in the road" didn't bump as badly. FAMOUS QUOTES BY JIM "Hello!" "I got my degree in fraternity" "I'm not persistent, I just never go away." "My kids can go to college anywhere, but the checks are going to OU"
Jim's memorial service will be held Friday, April 17 at 2:00 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 325 East 1st Street, Edmond, Oklahoma.