REV. JAMES STEWART EVANS

Rev. Jamie Evans, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Fresno, went home to his Lord Thursday, February 25, 2010. His life was in many ways a miracle, because of the many challenges he had to overcome. Within the last year he suffered from a deep and severe depression, complicated by his complex physiology. But he was a warrior, and he fought this illness the way he had everything else, courageously and faithfully. Jamie was a gifted teacher, author, and preacher. He cherished, and was adored by, his wife Kristy, two teenage children, Nate (age 16) and Kelly (age 13), extended family, diverse friends, and congregations. Jamie lived with gusto, full of integrity, exuberance, and joy, and there are no words to express how deeply he is loved and will be missed. James Stewart Evans was born in Hollywood, California June 1, 1959. He was the youngest of four children born to the late Rev. Louis H. Evans, Jr. and Colleen Townsend Evans. Early in his childhood, Jamie was diagnosed with a unique combination of severe learning disabilities. At seven, his developmental psychologist told Jamie that he was extraordinarily bright but would need to work twice as hard as other kids. Jamie took these words to heart and relied on determination, faith, discipline, and the help of encouraging parents and teachers to overcome his disabilities. He became known for his love of learning and amazing ability to master and retain information. The family moved from La Jolla, California to Washington, DC, in 1973 where his father pastored the National Presbyterian Church. Jamie received a scholarship to attend the National Cathedral St. Albans School for Boys. Working hard to meet St. Albans' rigorous standards, Jamie flourished academically, socially, spiritually and athletically. He graduated from the College of Wooster, Ohio in 1982 and Princeton Theological Seminary in 1985, and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1986. Jamie returned to St. Albans as a teacher, authored a book, An Uncommon Gift, about his journey overcoming learning disabilities, and became a regular speaker at conferences for the learning disabled. Jamie married the love of his life, Kristy Hess, in June of 1990. He joined Rev. Ben Patterson as an Associate Pastor at the New Providence Presbyterian Church in New Jersey, where their first child Nathan was born. In 1994, Jamie received a call to serve as Senior Pastor at the Community Presbyterian Church in Cambria, CA, where daughter Kelly was born. In 2001, Jamie felt a clear call to become Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Fresno. He based his ministry on the word of God, prayer, and discipleship. He was a servant leader committed to Jesus Christ, always encouraging the gifts of colleagues, and believed in churches working together to further the kingdom of God. He led First Presbyterian Church to host two other congregations on campus: Bethany Inner City Church, and Hope Now for Youth, a ministry focused on outreach to gang and former gang members. In addition to learning to focus and harness his vast mental energy, Jamie focused his prolific physical energies into daily workouts, auto mechanics, mountain climbing, biking, and intentional time with his family. Beginning when son, Nate, was seven years old, Jamie led backpacking trips to the Sierras with the family. When Nate was 12, Jamie began taking him and his friends to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite. It became an annual tradition. Jamie loved teaching his daughter Kelly and son Nate to ski, and he and Kristy treasured their family adventures. Jamie was an avid outdoorsman and a "man's man." His first attempt to summit Mount Rainier was thwarted by 50 mile-an-hour winds, hypothermia, and the collapse of a snow bridge under his feet. In true fashion, Jamie returned the next year-with better gear, training, and weather-to reach the 14,411-foot summit. Jamie was known as a steadfast encourager to others and was intentional about nurturing relationships. He made his marriage and family his first priority and was so proud of all that they were and did. He was consistently generous with his time and talents. His garage was always open to any young person from the church who wanted to learn to work on cars, and he began an informal "car ministry" providing reliable transportation to dozens of people. His actions spoke so loudly they overshadowed his words. Jamie is survived by his wife Kristy Hess Evans; son Nathan (16); daughter Kelly (13);, his mother Colleen Evans of Fresno; brothers Dan Evans and his wife Terri Johnston of Seattle, Tim Evans and his wife Amy of Fresno; sister, Andie Evans Goodrich and her husband Craig of Atlanta; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gordon and Sandra Hess of Santa Barbara; and brother-in-law, Bradley Hess and his wife Cheryl of Santa Barbara. His mother and siblings are profoundly grateful for Kristy, whose unique gifts and steadfast love made her the best wife Jamie could have ever had. A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church Fresno, 1540 M Street in Fresno on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Fresno directed to the Jamie Evans Family Fund to help with future expenses and the children's college fund. YOST & WEBB FUNERAL HOME 1002 ' T ' Street Fresno, California (559)237-4147 www.yostandwebb.com