John Maynard Evans

John Maynard Evans was born on November 30, 1942, the youngest child of the family. Oscar "Gramp" and Dorothy "Mimi" Evans bought Claiborne Plantation when he was a young boy and he spent the rest of his life there with his beloved wife of over 60 years, Diane Cross Evans raising their family, stewarding the land, loving, laughing and praying.

He lived his life as an example of faith and dedication to his wife and four children, Jennifer Mistretta, Oscar Evans II, Elizabeth Sarradet, and Rebecca Mouk. His unwavering love and commitment extended until the end of his time on earth as they surrounded him in his final hours remembering his great love, sense of humor and faith.

He married Diane on Spring Break in 1965 before he graduated from LSU then moved to White Castle and started their family. Their early lives were spent raising their four children, cattle and crops. His dedication was deep and loyalty strong to his family, the land, his faith and his true friends.

Abe Lincoln was quoted as saying, "If I had 8 hours to cut down a tree, I would spend 7 hours sharpening the axe." Always the innovator and thinker, John took it to the next level and would spend 7 hours redesigning the axe. He designed and built one of the first production mechanical sugar cane planters in the 80's, a predecessor to the models being built today.

John loved the outdoors including hunting, fishing and golf, but mainly because he enjoyed the people with whom he did it. In keeping with his innovative spirit, he reloaded his own shells and bullets because "no company could do it as well as I can," designed his own truck and boat accessories and even built a putter in his farm shop once. His office, barn, shop and other places bear the evidence of someone who was always thinking, always improving, always building everything from cane wagons to crawfish boilers to toolboxes.

He was a lay speaker in the church and a very astute student and teacher of the Bible. He knew and lived the Bible in both word and spirit as well as anyone including some clergy. He held a hard line on theology, but in keeping with his understanding of the gospel message of Jesus was very loving of people of all and even no faith.

His business and professional life followed his rugged individual path and included owning and running the Bar Lazy E Ranch and Claiborne Plantation as well as partial ownership in Cheeburger Cheeburger Restaurants in La. Following his retirement from farming, he and his daughter, Rebecca, bought a beleaguered Ascension Roofing and Sheet Metal and turned it into a thriving business.

John was a former President of the Louisiana Cattleman's Association, Chairman of the White Castle Fertilizer Co-op Board of Directors, a 32nd degree Free and Accepted Mason of Lodge #16 in Plaquemine, a longtime Plaquemine Rotarian and a frequent guest at Gonzales Rotary. He also served as President of the Louisiana Land Bank Board, as well as many years on the Board of Southern Farm (SF) Services. He graduated from White Castle High School and Sewanee Military Academy and held a BS from – as well as an intense dedication to the purple and gold of – LSU.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 60 years, Diane, his four children and their spouses, Troy Mistretta, Clara-Leigh Horn Evans, Craig Sarradet and Lee Mouk; 9 grandchildren, Sarah Mistretta Thibodeaux, Chris Mistretta, Ashleigh Evans Poppert, Ainslee Evans Hoover, John Garrett Evans, Emma Sarradet, Colton Sarradet, Louis Mouk and Sophia Mouk, their respective spouses; one great-grandchild, Shepherd Thibodeaux; his sister, Loretta Roberts and a very dear and extended list of nephews, nieces, and cousins.

His family held a visitation at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine, on Thursday, August 28th, and a celebration of his life at First United Methodist Church, Baton Rouge on Friday, August 29th, conducted by Rev. Weldon Bares.

Honorary pallbearers are nephews, David Evans, John Tugwell, Andrew Tugwell, Thomas Cox, Bo Stevens and Ted Hyde.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a generous gift to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, Samaritan's Purse, Tunnels to Towers or Shriner's Children's Hospitals.

Please share memories at www.wilbertservices.com.