Photo courtesy of Carpenter & Ford Funeral Home
Fairmont, West Virginia
Aug 10, 1943 – Jan 7, 2018 (Age 74)
James "Jim" Eugene Evans, 74 of Fairmont passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018 at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh surrounded by his wife and daughters. Jim was born in Martin, West Virginia on August 10, 1943, a son of the late Paul W. Evans and Margarite Dettinburn Evans. Jim retired as the Environmental Resources Program Manager for the West Virginia State Department of Natural Resources after 39 years of service. Jim grew up in Martin, West Virginia, and graduated from Petersburg High School and West Virginia University with a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry and a Master's Degree in Wildlife management in 1968. Following his graduation Jim served in the United States Army, stationed in Korea working in signal and security. Following his military discharge Jim started working with the DNR as the district game biologist in Fairmont. He later worked in research for the DNR in Morgantown and Elkins. His career included wildlife management and development of hunting regulations and seasons that were instrumental in increasing the population of the state's wildlife including the wild turkey. Jim was involved with several wildlife organizations and Co-ops. He was proud of the fact that he belonged and served as secretary of the West Virginia Wildlife Federation since 1967. Jim had a quiet demeanor, but at the same time, a great sense of humor. He was a member of the Galilean Baptist Church for 34 years serving as a Deacon. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. His friends and family would say "to know Jim is to love him". He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Kathryn "Kathy" D. (Hayhurst) Evans; two daughters, Heather Swiger and her husband Josh of Morgantown and Holly Mick and her husband Jeff of Morgantown; as well as his very special grandchildren, Giana Swiger, Lily Swiger and Deacon James Mick. Also surviving is his brother, Paul R. Evans and his wife Janet of Fort Ashby, West Virginia; a niece, Jill M Evans and Christina and their daughter, Ila; a brother-in-law Eli Hayhurst and his wife Grace of Fairmont and a sister-in-law, Agnes Wilson of Fairmont and several nieces, nephews and cousins on his wife's side of the family. Jim's family will receive friends and family at the Carpenter & Ford Funeral Home, 209 Merchant Street, Fairmont on Wednesday from Noon to 8pm and on Thursday 11am to 1pm. The funeral service will be at 1pm on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at the funeral home with Pastor Jim Solomon officiating. Interment services will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery. Full military honors will be conducted by the Marion County Veterans Council Honor Guard at the Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Galilean Baptist Church, 79 Jaynes Drive, Fairmont, WV 26554. If you have any stories, memories, or pictures of Jim you'd like to share, please email them to Heather at [email protected] or Holly at [email protected]. They would like to make a compilation of these to one day share with Jim's grandchildren.
I fondly remember Jim from the WVU class of 66. We played some chess together, and hung out a good bit. In college Jim had the nickname of "Groundhog." Jim liked squirrel gravy so much that some of his work for his masters degree involved squirrels, and squirrel gravy!
Dale Anderson
January 23, 2018 | Ridgway, PA | Classmate
To the Family of Jim Evans,
Sorry to learn about Jim.
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Jim was so very dedicated to the residents of the Great State of West Virginia through his work.
I had the distinct honor and pleasure of meeting Jim through former West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Commissioner Pat Dofka.
With Jim, you were a stranger but once after meeting him.
He will be sadly missed,...
Peter Cuffaro
January 13, 2018 | Wheeling, WV | Friend
Kathy, Heather, Holly & family,
We were very sorry to learn about Jim's passing. Kathy, our Greenland Gap neighbor we learned to know through you. His love of WV's flora & fauna was genuine & instructive. He used his gift wisdom by sharing with others and stewarding Clara's lbeautiful farm.
We pray the precious Lord provides His grace & peace to each one. May God bless & keep you❣
Vera Page
January 13, 2018 | Burlington, WV | Family Friend
Kathy, so sorry about Jim's passing. I pray that you will feel God's comforting spirit during this time. I had something to send to you but did not have your new mailing address.
Kathy Helvey
January 11, 2018 | Union, WV | Friend
Loved his laugh, liked to hunt with Jim and the WV boys.
Terry and Vanetta Weimer
January 10, 2018 | Hot Suplhur Springs, CO | Friend
Kathy, may the love of friends and family carry you through this sad time
Patti and Al McDowell
January 10, 2018 | Franklinton, NC | Coworker
From the Turley family our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Alan Turley
January 10, 2018 | Chillicothe, OH | Friend
I wanted to come to calling hours and visit with family, but do not want to give a vicious sore throat and head cold to others. I had not seen Jim in several years, but did much of my growing up less than a mile from his home. I remember seeing he and other family members in the yard when I rode the horse from our Martin farm out past Paul and Marguerite's to about John "Pete" Thorne's and back. Also knew and respected his work and enjoyed several visits with Jim over the years.
I am very...
Keith Inskeep
January 10, 2018 | Morgantown, WV | Friend
Jim was one of my childhood heroes and someone I greatly admired. He had a profound impact on me and is the reason I became a wildlife biologist. He will be missed. Evans family, you are in my prayers.
John Forbes
January 09, 2018 | Montrose, WV | Family Friend
