Obituary Donald Lee Evans February 27, 1934 – May 17, 2019 Donald Lee Evans passed away Friday, May 17, 2019 at the age of 82. Don was born on February 27, 1934 in Georgetown, Indiana. He was the eldest of three children born to Robert William Evans and Mildred Ann Boston Evans.
Don and his parents lived on a dairy farm owned by his grandparents Lee Thomas Evans and Lillian Ernestine Brown Evans. Much of Don’s childhood was spent helping his grandfather with farm chores such as harvesting feed, milking and feeding cows, and caring for other livestock. Don was home schooled by his grandfather prior to his formal education at Greenville Grade School.
During his high school years, Don participated in track, football and was elected Vice President of the Senior Class of 1951. Don’s favorite course of study was Chemistry which propelled him to attend and receive his Chemical Engineering Degree from Purdue University. While attending Purdue University, Don joined the Air Force ROTC program.
Though he had no intention of making the military a career, Don joined the Purdue Drill Team, Arnold Air Society and the Scabbard & Blade National Honor Society. Don completed the Air Force ROTC program in the summer of 1955, and attended summer camp at Reese AFB in Lubbock, TX where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Thus began Don’s long and distinguished Air Force career.
Don was first assigned to Lackland AFB where he received his initial training and pilot-training assignment to Webb AFB in Big Springs, TX. Though Don did not become a pilot, he was assigned to Chanute AFB where he entered Maintenance Officer Training. In 1960, Don received orders to report to Navigational Training in Harlingen, TX.
Having graduated number one in his Navigational Training Class, Don received the first choice of assignments. He selected Dover AFB so that he could see Europe and the world. Don spent the majority of his career as a navigator on the C-124 taking him to places such as Spain, Greenland, Central America, France, Belgium, Libya, Africa, Ireland, Korea, Japan, Australia and Thailand.
Don also navigated the WB-50, C-130, C-141 and the WB-47 airplanes. Most of Don’s missions were flying cargo and troops, however there were also many dangerous missions such as night flights over the Ho Chi Minh Trail and penetrating the eyes of Atlantic typhoons. While stationed in Dover AFB, Don married Jenny Dirk.
They remained married until her death in 1992. In 1971, Don was transferred to Randolph AFB as a System Program Staff Officer where he trained on new weapons systems, global positioning systems, Space Shuttle and classified satellite systems. Don was selected to attend Air War College in 1974 and upon graduation was promoted to Lt.
Colonel. Don also served as a Life Support Officer redesigning safety equipment such as helmets, anti-gravity suits, fire resistant clothing and ejection seats. Don was quickly promoted to Colonel, and served as Directorate of Energy Management, where he was responsible for a 3.
5 billion dollar annual budget and procuring all fuels for the Air Force, chemicals for the laser program and propellants for the Space Shuttle. Don retired in 1981 having logged 6,522 flying hours including 817 flying hours of combat. Don was awarded the Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross; three Meritorious Service Medals; nine Air Medals; Air Force Commendation Medal; Combat Crew Medal; National Defense Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; nine Vietnam Service Medals and two medals from the government of Vietnam.
After retirement, Don worked as a consultant for several companies including Southwest Research and General Dynamics. In October 1993, Don met Marie Sykes, the love of his life, at a Republican Women’s fundraiser. They married in 1994 in Boerne, Texas where they set up residence.
He soon became involved with his new family and embraced his role as a stepfather and grandfather. During Don’s retirement years, he travelled extensively with Marie in the U.S. and abroad. Don’s life was a life of service to his church, community and country.
He was very involved in his Episcopal and Anglican churches having served as a lay Eucharistic Minister, lay reader, Senior Warden, Junior Warden and vestry member. Don served his community as the President and County Chairman of the Kendall County Republican Party, President of the Kendall County Genealogy Society and was also a member of the Kendall County Historical Society. Don volunteered his time at the Boerne Library, Boerne Visitor Center and Boerne Elementary school.
Don was a kind and self- effacing man who was loved by family and all who knew him. Don is survived by his wife, Marie Evans; step-children Cindy Glick (Michael), Kevin Sykes (Jackie); grandchildren, Tori Bellos(Matt), Travis Glick (Lindsey), and Madeline Sykes; brother, Larry Evans (Lori); sister, JoAnn Albert (Vince deceased); nieces Liz Snider, Angie Smith (Kevin), Jennifer Albert, Cheryl Davis (Jeff); nephews, Mike Evans (Tanya), Brad Albert (Kathleen), Greg Albert (MJ). A Memorial Service was held Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 10:00 at St. John’s Anglican Church.
To leave condolences for the family, please visit www. ebensberger-fisher.com and select obituaries. Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.
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