James Raymond Evans January 10, 1935 – February 10, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers Send Private Condolences James “Jim” Raymond Evans, 84, of Lena, passed away on February 10, 2019, at home with his family by his side, after a valiant and graceful four-year skirmish with melanoma. He is now with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Jim was born January 10, 1935, in Rochester, MN, the eldest son of Raymond and Hazel (Cooper) Evans.
He graduated from the Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) program in Pensacola, FL, in 1955. After flight training, he was commissioned an ensign and designated a naval aviator, receiving his wings of gold. After 13 years of active duty, Jim joined the Naval Reserves and became a pilot for United Airlines.
He retired from the Navy with the rank of captain (O-6) in 1975, and from United Airlines as a Boeing 727 captain in 1995. He flew a wide variety of aircraft including trainers, anti-submarine warfare Lockheed P-2V Neptunes and P-3A/BOrions, and Douglas DC-8s, accumulating over 30,000 flight hours before he stopped keeping track. Jim married Deyonne Marlene Biorn on March 16, 1957, in Zumbrota, MN, and they had four children.
He loved to be with his family, teaching his children and grandchildren practical knowledge and helping them with everything from hauling their belongings wherever they moved, remodeling houses and landscaping yards wherever they lived, and providing moral and physical support during difficult times. He also mentored young men and women in the local community, several of whom later chose to serve their country in the Navy and Marines. Jim was extremely talented and was always learning something new.
Thinking ahead to the next project, he would tap his head and say, “It’s already done, up here”. If it was made out of wood, he built it. He installed plumbing and electrical wiring, trained horses, fixed small engines, poured cement, did needlework, made gardens and orchards and preserved the produce.
He had a fine tenor voice and sang in choirs and ensembles. He also played the cornet. In his youth, Jim played semi-professional hockey for the Rochester Mustangs.
He had a special love for horses and anything to do with the circus, American, European, and Biblical history, and following current events. He effortlessly and eagerly used computers and other electronic devices, but always did prefer a good set of analog gauges to a digital readout. He was game to jump in the car and drive anywhere for any length of time, the nastier the weather, the better.
Possessed of a rare sense of navigation, Jim never wanted to take the same road twice. He is survived by his wife, Deyonne Evans; daughter Kathryn Evans of Lena; son Douglas and wife Carol Evans of Prescott, AZ, and their children Andrew, Kate and her fiancé Coy McNew; son David and wife Anita Evans of Lena and their children Benjamin and wife Rose (their children Summer and Violet), Lucas and Sarah; daughter Anna and husband Dean Van Brunt of Kenosha, WI, their children Michael and Nathan; sister Judith Singfiel of Raleigh, NC, sister-in-law, Barbara Evans of Pittsburg PA, and nephews and nieces. Jim is predeceased by his father, mother, brother Stephen Evans and brother-in-law Arlin Singfiel.
The family would like to thank Monroe Clinic Hospice and Angels Aide Homecare for their wonderful help and support during this difficult time. A visitation will be held at the Leamon Funeral Home on Friday, February 15, 2019, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at Salem United Church of Christ, where Jim was a member, on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 10:00 am.
A luncheon will follow at the Salem United Church of Christ. Burial will be at Lena Burial Park. A memorial fund will be established in Jim’s memory to help bring home the F-4E Phantom aircraft to the Northwest Illinois Aerial Combat Memorial in Lena, IL.
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