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.
Carolyn, I have many wonderful memories of you and Jim from OU days. Jim was in our wedding and I remember visits to many homes you and Jim shared. Sorry we lost contact these last many years and I am so sorry to read of your loss. I saw Jim for the last time at George’s hospital room a day before he died. He looked and sounded like the Jim of my memory. God bless you and your wonderful family.
Carolyn, I was sorry to read of Jim’s passing in this morning’s paper. I have many fond memories of our days and parties at OU with our Sig Ep boyfriends and visits in your homes through the years. The last time I saw Jim was when he came to visit George in the hospital a couple of days before G died. Jim looked and sounded like the Jim I had always known. Bless you and your family.
Carolyn,
Julie and I just found out yesterday. We’re sorry for your loss. We feel blessed to have known you and Jim. You were a main reason why we continued to come to St. Mary’s. What a great dude you had! You are in our prayers.
Carolyn, Cindy, Steve, Mark and beautiful families, we are sorry for your loss and look forward to the day when we will see Jim again.
All of the great memories and time with your family we hold in our hearts.
You are in our prayers and we send love.
Peace,
Jeff & Julie Herrell
To the Evans’ Family,
My heartfelt sympathies go out to all of you. When Jim retired from American Fidelity and came to INSURICA to continue “selling” insurance is when I got to know him. I would help him get is CE for his license. He was such a kind and wonderful person. He always stopped and said hello to everyone. Love to hear the stories he would tell. Through this whole time Jim was always so positive and upbeat about his situation. I saw him last month when he was at the office and I’m so glad I got to see him then. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mary Tilford
Carolyn, you know you have our deepest sympathy. We are so sorry for Jim’s loss and we know how difficult his life has been for several years with his numerous alilments, but we were with him a lot and he never complained. We loved being with you two so often over many years at St. Mary’s, at our Tuesday night Edmond group dinners and many other times and talking about OU and AFA football, especially about Will’s playing and both his personal success as well as the team’s. Jim bragged about both all of the time and since we have had personal involvement with AFA and OU and since we know Will, we were always ready and anxious to hear Jim talk about all three, as well as OU football. We can’t count the number times we have heard, “It’s hard to be humble when you are a Sooner.” We will also miss Jim’s terrific smile and laugh. We know Jim looked forward to seeing Will graduate from AFA and being with him then but we know you will be there and Jim will be looking down on the parades, graduation and the ceremonies.
We look forward to many years being with you and BOOMER SOONER.
God Bless and we love you.
Paula and Charles
Dear Carolyn,
Lisbeth and I were so surprised to see Jim’s obituary in this mornings paper. Our sincere sympathies to you and your children. I have so many memories of my 10 years @ American Fidelity and working with Jim during those years. Our prayers are with you and your children during this sad time. May God shower his most gracious blessings on you and your children.
God Bless you,
Stan & Lisbeth Alexander
I will always remember when I came home to visit my mom. Jim and Mike would be talking about OU football, and Jim would always yell out BOOMER, and I would yell out SOONER,when I walked in the door, may his memory be eternal….
Carolyn- While it has been many years, I want you to know how our lives were enriched by just knowing Jim. It was always a delight to have him visit us in Nashville. Our business relationship with Ameriman Fidelity continues to this day because, in no small part, due to our love and respect for Jim. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
I am proud to call Jim my Brother in Sigma Phi Epsilon. While he was a few years ahead of me in the fraternity, very few have been more faithful in their support of the house over many years. It was such a delight to go by the house on OU game days and see Jim in the crowd. He was always so proud of what was going on with Sig Ep and what the house was doing. He may not have been the youngest guy in the room, but none were more enthused!
We also feel a strong connection with his family. Our daughters, Elizabeth and Olivia, were very blessed by the weekly “Deeper” ministry that Cindy and Larry Conant hosted at their home in Edmond, and I am certain that it has greatly impacted their long-term relationship with Christ. His son, Mark, is also a Sig Ep brother who has been involved as an Alum, and has shown a great commitment to our fraternity. And, of course, they were all Edmond Memorial Bulldogs!
Jim, you and your family have positively impacted many of us for many years, and you will be greatly missed.
Please accept my sincere condolences to the family. May the God of all comfort give you the comfort you need to endure this difficult time (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
Carolyn,
So sorry for your loss.
I will be out of town for Jim’s service, know it will be a beautiful celebration of his life and love for you and all of his family!
Love and prayers to you all,
Marian Jeter
Jim and I met in 1954 at O.U. We were Sig Eps together. We have kept in touch over the years. Jim was outgoing, friendly and reliable.Always upbeat. We frequently talked O.U. football and were excellent Monday morning quarterbacks.
Very earlyon I stayed with he and his parents in Freeport, IL while I was on my way to Milwakee. Very hospitable people.
Jim Evan was so influential in my sales career. I learned so much from him and am thankful we were able to spend so much time together. I think about him often and strive to have an attitude like he always did. Thank you Jim for all you did for me, I miss you dearly.