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John Richard Evans

7/6/1955 - 2/2/2020

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Obituary For John Richard Evans

John Richard Evans, born in Madison Wisconsin July 6, 1955, passed away on February 2, 2020 in Williamsburg, VA.

John collected people. He considered everyone he met a new friend, and once you were his friend, you became one of his stories. And he had so many stories to share.

He had great childhood adventures growing up in Monona, WI with his parents and four siblings, spending days on bikes, on the lakes, delivering papers, and on many adventures with the Boy Scouts. He attended Trinity College in Deerfield, IL and graduated with a degree in Philosophy, earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling at University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, and completed every requirement but a dissertation for a Ph.D. at Michigan State University.

John spent his entire treasured career as a university housing administrator. He loved working on college campuses. He was the rare soul who sincerely enjoyed talking with parents of students about their concerns and could always make them feel better about everything by the end of the call. He was a true Parent Whisperer. He has many wonderful stories and friends from his times at UW-Whitewater, Michigan State, Eastern Illinois, Glassboro State (Rowan), South Dakota State, and the University of Virginia.

He was a skilled potter and loved handcrafting items that were gifted to friends and family. He took great joy in knowing his friends appreciated and used his pieces in their homes. He never met a dog, cat or horse he didn’t like, and enabled his family to collect more of all of these animals than one who does not live on a farm might consider reasonable. He loved the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, UVA basketball and any team that beat the University of Michigan.

In recent years John was able to travel to Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, and he treasured these shared experiences with his family, sister, niece, aunt, and friends.

Without a doubt, John’s proudest accomplishment was being a father. He adored his five children. He was at his happiest when spending time with them. John was an overgrown kid and was always ready to play. He was thrilled to have two grandchildren and dreamed of being a fun and playful grandpa to Jude and Lucy, and one day teaching them to play chess.

He thoroughly enjoyed serving as a bonus dad and grandad to his “#6 kid” Josie Elliott and his best kid pals Palmer and Porter Cash.

John possessed a huge and giving heart. We believe he simply wore it out by sharing it so well.

John is survived by his wife, Maggie Burkhart Evans, son Christopher (Eliza) Evans, son Andrew (Tracie) Evans, daughter Kathryn (Wesley) Evans, son Joseph (Mary) Evans, daughter Emma Evans, mother Virginia Evans, brother Mark (Donna) Evans, sister Elizabeth Evans, and sister Mary Evans. John was preceded in death by his father George Evans, brother Jim Evans and beloved uncle Harry Evans.

Details regarding a memorial service to take place in Staunton Virginia in spring 2020 are forthcoming.

Contributions in memory of John Evans can be made to the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, P.O. Box 815, Staunton, VA 24402 or online at https://cfcbr.org

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Condolences

  • 04/08/2021

    Steve Stauffer

    I am so sorry to hear about John's passing. He was one of the kindest, friendliest, and most interesting people I knew. He was always one of the first people I sought out at SEAHO or other conferences. The bowl he made for me is a treasured item at my home. We will be thinking of you and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

  • 04/08/2021

    Sharon Viglione

    We are so saddened by this. Love and hugs to all of you. Miss you in the neighborhood. Sincerely, Mark and Sharon Viglione

  • 04/08/2021

    Glen and Bettie Oberholtzer

    Bettie and I were saddened when hearing about the loss of our neighbor for many years, John Evans.

    He was a great person and friend to have living in our neighborhood . He always took time to share a kind word with all. We all feel privileged to have known him.

    Our condolences to Maggie and his wonderful family on your loss. God bless you all!

  • 04/08/2021

    Ann

    Dear Maggie,
    Sending heartfelt prayers to you and your family. Your tribute is a beautiful story of a loving husband, father, friend to all, and life well lived.
    Pat and Ann Harahan

  • 04/08/2021

    Alysia Davis

    Johnâ??s kindness is his lasting legacy. He imprinted the world with it, and weâ??re all better off for having known him. My thoughts are with his family.

  • 04/08/2021

    Judith E. Winston

    To all John's family -- so sorry to hear this shocking news. Will be thinking of all of you and the good memories that you will have of his life, as time goes on.

  • 04/08/2021

    Darlene Houchens

    Maggie & family,

    I treasure that I knew this kind, loving man. I enjoyed working with him at U. Va. He always had only kind words for everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. God Bless

  • 04/08/2021

    Karen Chisholm

    From the class of 1973 Monona Grove High School,
    We send to John's family our deepest heartfelt condolences. I personally remember John as a very kind person. He will always be remembered as a part of our class.

  • 04/08/2021

    Tony and Sandy Motto

    We were so sorry to hear this news. There are fond memories of the pool when the children were young and more recently Chi Kung class. Tony enjoyed working with him. Thinking of you and the children.

  • 04/08/2021

    Jack Mandeville

    I am so saddened to hear of John's Passing. My best memory of him was in my early days as a professional at William & Mary. I met him at VACUHO. It was one of my first professional conferences and he made me feel like a colleague when I wasn't sure I belonged--he normalized belonging for me--that made a huge difference in my experience there. Thank You John. I wish you a glorious journey into the "what's next".

  • 04/08/2021

    Jim & Charity Russell & girls

    We are so shocked and sad to hear about John's passing. He always had a kind word and was great to talk to. Most recent memories of him before you all moved were him chasing the dogs when they escaped the yard to "visit & explore" the neighborhood. Love and comfort are sent to you all from your Spring Lakes neighbors.

  • 04/08/2021

    Chiara

    Each person has a gift, John had a special one, he was such a good, humble, caring person that he made others better people.
    His gift won't leave with him, it's in the memory of all those who have shared even a little time with John and it will spread and grow.
    We will be better people each day, thinking of him.
    I hope all the love he was able to share and give to other will help his family in this time of sorrow.

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