Obituary of Ronald Eldon Evans

Ron was born on 4/27/1942 in Bremerton, WA and passed away 4/17/2009 in Tacoma, WA. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Lynette; daughter Shannon Gaul and son-in-law Rob Gaul; stepdaughters Danielle Chapman and Maile Chapman; sister-in-law Diane Peters; and was preceded in death by his son Shawn Evans and his parents Vera and Eldon Evans. Ron was a graduate of West Bremerton High School and the University of Puget Sound where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He graduated as a Packaging Engineer, later working for Eagle Paper Box and Rose City Paper Box. Ron leaves behind many friends from his volunteer service at the Tacoma Police Department North Substation where he truly enjoyed working a regular Wednesday afternoon shift, and the Tacoma Park Watch Program where he and Lyn helped with public safety. Ron belonged to the Classical Glass Corvette Club of Tacoma (his was memorably bright red), and actively collected model classic cars. He often spent sunny afternoons at car shows in and around the Tacoma area, or working in his yard. He knew his local geography and history in detail and, though he didn't brag about it, he caught a lot of gigantic salmon in Puget Sound over the years (there are plenty of pictures to prove this). Ron enjoyed a strong cup of coffee and smoking his daily cigars, listening to oldies and classic rock (not to mention talk radio), and was a connoisseur of French food: his favorites were French Onion Soup, French Dip sandwiches, and French Fries. Ron had a lifelong interest in the welfare of animals, and took in and adopted or found homes for creatures too numerous to name. Among those who enjoyed protected and happy lives because of Ron's kindness to them are Adam, Poppa, Moose, Figaro, Solo, Twirp, Muffin, Ashley, Gus, Samantha, Samantha 2, Pepper, Phoebe, Peaches, Herbie, Henry, Murphy, Little Gray, Big Gray, Budja, Walter, Myrtle... and the list goes on. Ron will also be missed by “the critters” -- his and Lyn's semi-wild friends: the raccoons who grew so accustomed to him that they brought their babies into his yard for shelter, walking right past him in his chair; the birds, who were a regular feature around the birdfeeder, over which he rigged a protective umbrella; the possums, who sat hopefully and fearlessly peering up from his doorstep looking for a treat; and the colony of fat, satisfied squirrels who enjoyed Ron's Costco peanuts for many years, and who shared these with the neighbors by planting mysterious little peanut plants in their flower beds. Ron, we love you and we will follow your example by looking after the needy or defenseless creatures that cross our paths, like you would have done. You are greatly missed.