Governor of Idaho. Born in Malad City, Oneida County, Idaho John V. Evans was raised in a family who made their living through ranching and banking. From this upbringing, Evans learned to respect hard work and common people, a trait which he displayed throughout his life. He briefly attended Idaho State University before joining the Army during World War II. He served as a Sergeant with the Infantry, and was based in the Philippines. At the end of the war Evans returned stateside, married, and completed his college education at Stanford University. Returning to Malad City he helped manage the family’s wheat and cattle business. In 1952 he was elected to the first of three terms in the Idaho State Senate, serving as the majority leader during his final term. In 1960 he was elected as the Mayor of Malad City, a post he held until 1966. He was again elected to the State Senate in 1968, serving another three terms. In 1974 Evans was elected as the Lieutenant Governor of Idaho; two years later he assumed the office of Governor when Cecil Andrus resigned the position to serve in the Presidential Cabinet. Evans was twice re-elected to office, and served as Governor from January 23, 1977 until January 4, 1987. Evan’s administration worked to bring about the Snake River Basin Adjudication and the establishment of the Central Idaho Wilderness. The population of Idaho nearly doubled during his tenure, and Evans crafted legislation to create employment, bringing high tech manufacturing to the state. In 1986 he made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate. After his defeat, he joined his family's D.L. Evans Bank and served as its President. There he again met with success, expanding the bank from two branches to 26. Evans died in Boise, Idaho on July 8, 2014. At his passing, even his political opponents continued to remember him as an honorable and decent man.