Eugene Evans

Gene Evans, a member of the "Greatest Generation", passed away July 24, 2018,at 94, fighting his last battle. Gene was Idaho's oldest World War II Veteran and Purple Heart recipient. Gene was born in Commerce, Oklahoma to Henry and Flora (Phillips) Evans. Shortly after his birth his family moved to Joplin, Missouri where his father worked in the mining industry. His father died when Gene was 13 months old. His mother was left with 3 boys and 2 girls, Frank, Harry, Juanita, Sophia, and Gene, the baby of the family. She never married again and lost both of her girls, Juanita at 21 and Sophia at 11. Frank, the oldest boy, became the father figure for Gene. The family continued to live in Joplin where Gene attended elementary school, until 1932 when his mother moved them to California. Gene finished Junior High School in Los Angeles and during his junior year of high school, he joined the Army at 17 and was at Fort Lewis, Washington when Pearl Harbor was attacked and World War II was declared. Gene was sent to the European Theater landing in French Morocco near Casablanca, where he was in the 3rd Division Battery, 41st Field Artillery Battalion. His 3rd Division fought from French Morocco to Tunis Palermo Sicily, Naples, Corsica, Nice St. Die, Strasbourg, Munich and Salzburg. He was wounded along the way and spent a short time in the hospital near Roe, Italy. He quickly rejoined his division and continued fighting until the war was ended. He never really talked about the horrors of war but recalled to his family the funny things and that has been his philosophy throughout his life. "Don't dwell on the bad or sad things, see the funny and good side of life. Like getting old, embrace it and do whatever you want." After the war he went home but didn't know what to do until a friend suggested they go into the Air Force and learn to fly airplanes. After a short time the Army Air Corps developed a school which became the Air Force Academy. The 1st classes were held at Randolph Field near San Antonio, Texas. Gene decided to apply for that 1st class and being a war veteran he was given points and accepted into the Academy. At last he was living his dream of flying. He used to talk about being in a foxhole and looking up at the sky and seeing the Fly Boys headed back to a warm bed and good food and think. "I'll never fight another war on the ground." During his last year in the Air Force in San Antonio, he met a Navy nurse cadet. She was graduating that year from nursing school. Her family came for graduation and then took her home to Oxford, Mississippi. Gene drove to Oxford from Joplin and took her back home to meet his family. It was there that he talked her into getting married. They went to Bentonville, Arkansas where you could get the license and go to the minister's house to say your vows all in the same day. They returned to Joplin to live with Gene's brother until they found their own place. Several months later they bought the house from Gene's brother, who had returned to the Army and moved his family to Okinawa, Japan. They remained in this house for 16 years. Three children were born during that time, Terry, Jan and Brian. These were great years spent watching the kids grow and enjoying all their activities. Sports and music and ballet. Gene traveled and was gone sometimes for several weeks, but Wanda kept busy with working at the hospital and taking kids to activities. Fortunately, living just across the street from the grade school made things much easier. In 1963, Tri State Motor Transit, which was the company that Gene worked for, asked him if he would move to Idaho and manage that operation. He accepted and the family moved from Joplin to Idaho Falls, Idaho where Gene became the Northwest Nuclear Operations Manager. Gene excelled in this new position and spent hours learning and designing equipment to haul the radioactive material and spent fuel. He was admired by many for his dedication and work ethics. The kids were so excited to be close to Yellowstone and Yogi Bear but Wanda, having left 13 brothers and sisters in the south, thought they had gone to the end of the world. Life was very busy in Idaho with lots of new sports. In 1965, a new baby girl, Robin, was born. Life was so exciting with a new baby and love was everywhere. Gene was a very dedicated public servant. He was a member of the Church of Christ and spent hours giving to his church and becoming a member of the Lion's Club. He was elected President of the Russet Lion's three times and helped raise money for under privileged kids and families. He enjoyed the challenges and friendships that were made. Gene not only worked, raised a family, which included many fishing, camping, hunting, and vacation trips, donate his time to others and still manage to be available anytime someone needed help. One phone call and he was there for whatever needed fixing or project that needed to be built. Many family members are lucky recipients of his lovingly handmade furniture. What a treasure! He truly enjoyed his grand kids and great grand kids. You could see the delight in his eyes when the kids would arrive. He loved to bake and always had cookies in the special spot for the kids. Everyone knew if you went to grandpa's there would be fresh cookies waiting. Always a man who never backed away from any challenge, Gene fought his last battle valiantly with every effort possible. A large hole will be left in all of those who loved and so admired Gene Evans. At 3 months shy of 95, he has outlived all of his siblings, his wife, and friends. It will be up to those of us that are left behind to carry on the loving memory and spirit of our father and best friend. We hope you have an amazing reunion with Mom and all your family. He is survived by his 4 Children, Terry (Cathy) Evans, Jan (Sid) Brown, Brian Evans and Robin Evans, 6 Grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in Death by his Wife of 64 years Wanda and great grandchild Wes Kirkpatrick. A private family service will be held for Gene on Monday, July 30, 2018. Friends and family are welcome to visit from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday at Gene's house.

Private Family Services