Donald L. Evans

Donald L. Evans Sr. of Lafayette passed away peacefully on October 2, 2024 at the age of 95. He is survived by Jean (Hallenbeck) Evans, his wife of 69 years and the love of his life, and their four children Donald Jr. (Marcia), Donna Evans Orr (Terry), Diane Ellison (William), and David (Terry). He leaves behind 10 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. 

Don was raised in North Syracuse with his three brothers and best friends, Gordon, Edward, and Howard all who predeceased him. He was a graduate of North Syracuse High School (1948), and served in the United States Army from 1951-53. After training and apprenticeships in the printing and sheet metal industries, he joined forces with his brother Howard and formed Evans Brothers Home Supply, where together they built homes in CNY over a 40 year period. He then worked as a Carpenter at Upstate Medical Center until he retired in 1993. Don and Jean raised their family in LaFayette, where he served as Tax Assessor for many years.   

Don had a huge heart and a huge smile – he loved his family and community, he worked hard and he played hard. He taught his brothers, nieces, nephews, children and grandchildren to laugh and play and make their own fun. He loved the outdoors and the woods, especially Goudy Pond and his camp in Three Mile Bay. He and his brothers worked in farming as boys, and Don continued gardening and planted an uncountable number of trees during his lifetime. He was a self-taught collector and repairer of antique clocks, and a lifetime member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. He enjoyed restoring and fixing anything and everything, and was an avid wood carver and reader. He maintained a youthful curiosity of the world around him, and was always interested in learning something new.

Family members and friends are invited to gather on Sunday, October 20th at the Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral home in Lafayette between 1 - 4 pm to share memories and celebrate Don’s life. Donations may be made to LaFayette Fire Department and Ambulance, 2444 US Route 11 LaFayette, NY 13084