Charles F. Evans

Charles Franklin Evans of Parma died at his family home on August 3rd, the eve of his 67th birthday, after a two-year battle with cancer. Born in Walla Walla, Wash., in 1943, Charles and his family moved to Idaho when he was six years old. His early life on the farm taught him an enduring love of animal husbandry and honest labor. In 1965, he earned bachelor degrees in both English and art from the College of Idaho. He went on to receive his Masters in Fine Art in Ceramics from the University of Montana in Missoula in 1971. In 1970, Charles met Karen Ortiz and the two were married within a month. Charles taught first in South Dakota and later moved to Rollingstone, Minn., where he headed the art department at nearby Winona State University. In 1980, Charles and his family returned to the farm on which he was raised, and in time they built a new art studio as well as founded Rollingstone Chevre, Idaho's first commercial goat creamery. In recent years he served on the College of Idaho's Alumni board and chaired the Canyon County Democrats. His artwork has been shown domestically and internationally and numerous pieces remain in permanent collections. Ceramics remained Charles' passion and the final year of his life was one of his most prolific. In his final days, Charles' family and friends surrounded him in a joyful celebration of his life and accomplishments. The great loss they feel in his absence is commensurate to Charles' strength of character, depth of talent, and capacity for love. The memory of his life as artist, teacher, friend, husband and father serves now to remind us to always strive for excellence. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Karen Ortiz Evans, his son Miles Evans, and daughter Adrienne Evans.