On the evening of May 21, 2015, Richard C. Evans (Dick) passed away of natural causes in Tacoma, at 86 years of age.
Dick was born in Prosser, Washington, on April 24, 1929. His younger years were spent doing typical “kid” things such as swimming in an irrigation ditch and nearly drowning, and also grabbing a handful of sweet red cherries from the neighbor’s tree. He spent the next few years in the Aberdeen-Hoquiam area.
Dick’s high school years were spent in Winthrop, which he had always considered home. His favorite part of school was sports. He played football, basketball and baseball, lettering in all three. His career choice was sports coach, but it was not to be. Instead, he enlisted in the Army in 1947, right after graduation from high school.
Dick served his country with pride for a total of 41 years; 27 years of active duty and 14 years in civil service. His active duty time was served in California, Germany, Korea and Ft. Lewis, Washington. He retired as a command sergeant major. His civil service duty was in personnel management at Madigan Army Medical Center at Ft. Lewis, where he retired as chief of personnel, Fourth Region ROTC.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He is survived by his wife, Wanda; seven children, Richard M. Evans, Robert Evans (Tammy), David Evans (Beverly), Dennis Evans (Deborah), Patti Eggleston (Richard), Victoria Evans and Lawrence Evans; three stepchildren, Kathy Davis, Tom Lakey (Debbie), and Ken Lakey (Karen); brother Del Evans; and sister Nadine Griffin (Cliff). Also surviving in the blended extended family are 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Dick’s pride and love for his family was evident by his words and actions. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Interment with military honors will be at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington on Friday (June 12) at 11:30 a.m. There will be a graveside service at Sullivan Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256, or to a charity of your choice.
Please sign the online guest book at www.dryermortuary.com.
