James Evans

James “Jim” E. Evans, 77, returned to his heavenly home on September 21, 2018 after a valiant battle with a long illness.  His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.

James was born at home in Sunbury, Ohio on February 22, 1941 to the late Marion Emmet Evans and Betty Louise Freas, and baptized in Stratford Methodist Church near Condit, Ohio in April 1941.

James is a 1959 graduate of Mifflin High School where he played basketball and track.

James was in the Navy Reserve from September 1961 –July 1962 and was honorably discharged and awarded from the United States Navy in November 1963 for honest and faithful service.

James also met and married 32 years, the mother of his children Marilyn Sue Evans, where they were blessed with three loving daughters Michelle Lynn Evans-Smith, Christine Sue Evans-Osborne-Huff, and Deborah Kay Evans.  He helped raise his three children with patience, discipline and humility.  He often took his family on camping vacations and to Myrtle Beach where he later resided for many years and took up the hobby of metal detecting and collecting coins.

James has worked for Lazarus, Miller Jones shoe Store, Wellco Ent, Bata Shoe Corp, the US Postal Service and semi-retired managing a hotel with his wife.

James was an educator at heart.  He was kind and soft spoken, helping people out when  he could and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small.  His hobbies included metal detecting, golf, collecting coins, playing cards, watching football (especially the BUCKEYES) going to the Casino, and towards the end he helped make buckeye necklaces for his sister Sandy who makes necklaces for Ohio State University.  He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is a peace with his creator.

James is survived by his daughters, Michelle, Christine and Debbie; his grandchildren Cody Thomas Smith, Jake Edward Cacciolfi, Fawn Nicole Huff; his two brothers Harold and Jean Evans, Richard Evans and half-brothers Marion Jr. and Julia(McIntosh) Evans, Kenneth and  Marilyn (Eddy) Evans,  half-sister Sandra( Evans) and David Welling, and stepmother Dorothy (Motz) Evans.

James’s memorial and cremation will be at Shaw-Davis Funeral Homes on September 26 at 5:00 p.m. The family will gratefully accept prayers, condolences and memories.

God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not meant to be

So he put his arms around you, and whispered, “Come to me”

With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you passed away

And although we love you dearly, we could not make you stay.

A Golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.