Russell Evans

Colonel R.B. Russ Evans U.S. Air Force retired, 87, died Tuesday, July 21, 2010 in Abilene. His funeral service with the Reverend Kristine BrantleyGearhart and Dr. Cary Cooke officiating will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 24th in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 HWY 277 South with burial following in the Garden of Faith at Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Friday at Elmwood Funeral Home.

Col Evans was born on November 12, 1922 in Rockford, Illinois the son of Russel Evans and Caroline Johnson Evans. After graduating from High School he worked a few years with Woodward Governor Company before joining the ArmyAir Corp in 1942 where he proudly served his country during WWII flying 51 missions with the P38 Lightning Aircraft. Russ returned from war in 1944 and served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years, retiring on April 5, 1966 while stationed at Dyess Air Force Base. After retirement from the Air Force, Russ worked 19 years as the Executive Director of Abilene Regional MHMR now known as the Betty Hardwick Center. The impact he made in the field of Mental Health was later honored when the Day Services and HalfWay facilities were named the R.B. Evans Center.

Col Evans was a longtime member and Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church. He was an avid golfer, and a gifted craftsman and skeet shooter competing with the Air Force National Skeet Shooting Team while in the Air Force.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Frances Evans of Abilene his children, Bill Evans, Jon Evans and wife Jean, and Russell Evans and wife Cathy all of Abilene Grandchildren, Troy Evans and fianc Debbie Sanchez, Heather Evans and fianc Jai Henderson, Brian Evans and wife Krista, Samantha Glendenning and husband Dakota and two great grandchildren, Andrew Evans and Katie Sligar.

His daughter, Susan Evans preceded him in death.

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Friday, July 23, 2010
6:00 to 8:00 PM

Service

Chapel Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Saturday, July 24, 2010
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606

Memorial Contributions

PO Box 903
Abilene, TX  79604