Gary Lee Evans was born August 21, 1947 in Humansvillem Missouri to Lloyd & Dena Evans. He joined our Lord and Savior on November 20, 2006 at his home in Monegaw Springs, Missouri with his beloved companion of 6 years, Thelma Quick, at his side.
Gary was an avid Chiefs fan, he loved wrestling, fishing, dancing, playing cards, driving his tractor, mushroom hunting, burning brush, talking about the old days and growing up in Osceola, spending time with his sons, grandchildren, family & friends.
At times, Gary was a man of few words but if you knew him you always knew what he stood for. Some might consider him a silent leader, but the values and morals he believed in and that he taught his sons throughout their lives will remain with them forever. Gary taught his sons that if they always worked hard, respected others and treated others like they would like to be treated, it would be oen of the greatest gifts he could leave his sons. He always encouraged them to do the right thing when making life choices. Knowing right from worng was something he instilled in his sons from an early age. He was the first to encourage them to always live a respectable, loving and happy life. He believed that living by example was the way to raise his sons. Although not always spoken and sometimes in the most subtle ways, good values and morals were always in his heart. Gary always believed that no matter what happened in life things would always get better with time. He always told his sons to just "hang in there" and everything would be alright. He left his sons with this philosophy as they continue through their own life's journey. Everyone who knew Gary loved him. He was a great teacher and example for his sons, family and friends. If you were lucky enough to stand by him at a brush fire he always loved sharing stories about his life. He was a good person who could make you laugh. Gary lived by the 10 Commandments and believed that living by those Commandments he would someday return to his Lord Jesus Christ forever when his life here on earth was done.
Gary was raised in Osceola from a young age and attended Osceola High School until he entered the Army in 1966. He was deployed to Vietnam and served one tour of duty in 1967-1968. After his release from the military, he was united in marriage to Jessie Harding in February 1969 and was blessed with two sons, David and Richard. They made their home in Kansas City, Missouri where he worked at the Kansas City Southern Railroad. He then obtained a position at the Santa Fe Railroad and moved to Princeton, Kansas. He remained there until his divorce in 1991. He then moved to Kansas City, Missouri unitl he became disabled from the Railroad in 1996. He worked for the railroad from 1975 - 1996. He then moved back to Osceola, Missouri. He met his beloved companion, Thelma Quick and remained in the Osceola area until his death.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd & Dena Evans, on sister, Janice Summers, one brother-in-law, Fred Greathouse and one granddaughter, Amber Miller.
He is survived by his two sons, David Evans and his wife, Tracy of El Centro, California, and Richard Evans and his companion, Rhonda Pearl of Ottawa, Kansas. 6 grandchildren, Jake, Wyatt, Frank & Jesse Evans of El Centro, California, Kelcie & Sydney Evans of Ottawa, Kansas 7 sisters and 4 brothers, Sylvia Greathouse and husband Bill of Osceola, Missouri; Christene Greathouse and husband Harry of Rockville, Missouri; Vera Greathouse of Independence, Missouri; Phyllis Cutler and husband Loren of Collins, Missouri; Sharon Smith and husband Bill of Kansas City, Missouri; Pam Dutcher and husband Harold of Monegaw Springs, Missouri; and Sandy Bayless and husabnd Jerry of Osceola, Missouri, Larrie Evans and wife Arless of Dunnegan, Missouri; Jerry Wayne Evans of Osceola, Missouri; Travis Evans and wife, Glenda of Osceola, Missouri; and Terry Evans of Osceola, Missouri and many nieces and nephews.