GEORGE C. EVANSON

George C. Evanson of Elgin George C. Evanson passed away Saturday, June 9, 2012. He was born Aug. 6, 1934, in Chicago, the son of George and Agnes Evanson. George served in the Air Force both active and reserves from 1953 until 1961. He founded Beef Villa restaurants in 1970. His sons continue to operate the restaurants today. In the early 1970s, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of earning his private pilot's license and buying his first of many airplanes. After many years of travel around the world, he settled down again to open a 72 stall horse barn, BarG Farms in Elgin from 1990 to 2002. The remaining years were spent as a snowbird in Florida, summering in Elgin, while continuing to extensively travel the states in his motor home bus. George's philosophy was that he who dies with the most toys wins. His volunteer work for many years as a Shriner included flying children to and from the Shriners Burn Center in Cincinnati for outpatient treatment. Survivors include his loving wife, Barbara Kline Evanson, to whom was married for 58 years; his three children, Karen (Ed) McCarthy, Scott and Todd Evanson, all of Elgin; his grandchildren, Brian, Trisha, Patrick, Magen, AIi, Mary and Hannah; his great-granddaughter, Crystal; his sister, Janet Austin of Naperville; and his brother, Robert (Winnie) of Elgin. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Thursday, June 14, at Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St. (Route 31), Elgin. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. For information, www.lairdfamilyfuneralservices.com or 847-741-8800.