Virgil Palmer Evans Jr.

1945 - 2025

Virgil Palmer Evans Junior, father, brother, educator, musician and friend, passed away after a long battle with cancer on April 11, 2025 in Los Osos, California. He was born on November 23, 1945 to Virgil Evans Sr. and wonderful wife, Bea in West Point, New York where his father was serving in the US Army as a musician in the West Point Band. Virg Sr. and Bea soon moved West, however, so Virg Jr. and his younger brother, Bill, spent their childhoods in California's San Fernando Valley.
Virg attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks and California State University, Northridge, before embarking on a postgraduate journey to England, where he studied at King's College, University of London, and was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity degree. As a newly ordained Episcopal priest, Virg was assigned to The Bishop's Preparatory School in San Diego.
After the priesthood ran its course, Virg left that vocation and eventually became a secondary school teacher and counselor. He taught Latin at Villanova High School in Ojai and was a counselor for the LA Unified School District at Monroe High School in Sepulveda. Virgil spent most of his later counseling years in the Inyo County Department of Education in Bishop, California, where he served as the district's sole academic counselor.
Like his father before him (a career trumpet player and member of the recording session legends, "The Wrecking Crew") Virg Jr. became a professional musician in his youth. He was a top call 5-string banjo player, and while in high school he played regularly at Disneyland. He toured/performed with Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, Judy Garland, Buck Meadows and Tennessee Ernie Ford and played banjo, guitar and trumpet on several TV shows and participated in recording sessions with other top notch session musicians. Following in his father's footsteps, Virg was also a proud member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 47, Los Angeles.
Virg is predeceased by his wife, Sherril. He is survived by his four children: daughter Jessica, son Chris, and twin daughters, Elizabeth and Rebecca. Virg is also survived by his brother Bill Evans and wife, Susan.
Virg's passing reminds us to treasure our family and friends, and to always stay in touch with each other. Requia scat en pacem…Rest in peace.
Graveside service to be held in Bishop, California at 12:00 PM on Friday, November 21, 2025 at the Eastside Cemetery followed by a gathering for friends & family at the Bishop Elks Lodge #1603.