Dan Franklin Evans

Dan Franklin Evans, age 85, died in Boise, Idaho on October 10, 2023. He was born on December 2, 1937, son of Howard Herbert Evans and Bettina June Evans in Berwyn, Illinois. He moved several times growing up due to transfers in his father’s work. In Dallas he went to a two- room school and rode a horse to school. In San Jacinto he learned to pick cotton. He graduated from high school in Lowell, Indiana. He attended Purdue University for two and half years majoring in engineering. He dropped out of college and joined the Naval Flight Training Program in Pensacola, Florida. Eighteen months later he graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps as a helicopter pilot. He married Judith Lynn Reed in 1960 and together they had three beautiful children, Kelly Colleen Wascher, Jennifer Lynn Evans and Mark Davis Evans. Dan has two grandchildren, Garion Wascher and Chelsea Wascher. During the first ten and a half years of their marriage Dan was on active duty in the Marines. He took two separate one year tour of duties to Vietnam as a Medivac Helicopter pilot with the rank of Major. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 21 air medals. When he returned to civilian life, he went back to school at Auburn University and graduated with a degree in Aviation Management. He then went to work at Norfolk Regional Airport as Assistant Manager for five years. He then moved to Las Vegas and was the Airport Manager at McCarran International Airport for five years. He then moved to Santa Rosa, California where he purchased two hardware stores. He worked in these stores for five years. He then went to work for BMC West and was then transferred to Boise, Idaho and worked for them for 6 years. In 1994 he went to work for True Value Hardware stores as a Retail Consultant and worked with them until he retired in 2006. In 2000 he married Patricia Ann Taylor. Pat had two sons and their wives that became very special to him, Chris Taylor (Heidi) and Bryan Taylor (Katie). He was blessed with two more wonderful grandchildren, Lucy May Taylor and Matthew Christopher Taylor. During Dan and Pat’s retirement years they enjoyed traveling. They were able to visit 55 countries and much of the United States. They both loved to play tennis, golf and gardening. Dan also enjoyed woodworking and was always working on a project to give to others. Dan was very active in his church, Risen Christ Catholic Community. He was a Knights of Columbus member, an usher and was a member of the garden ministry. Dan is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and a sister, Meribeth Coltart and a brother, Michael Evans. Memorials may be made in Dan's name to the Garden Ministry at Risen Christ Catholic Church.