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John Evans Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John Evans
Jenny (Kerns) Brooks
November 12, 2007
To the Evans family,
I'm so sorry to hear about John's passing. I graduated Abraham Lincoln High School, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with him. He was a very witty guy with a wonderful sense of humor, and was always so friendly. I had not seen him since graduation and just learned of his death.I'm sure Knoxville and the surrounding area will miss him and all he has done for the community and the environment.I know his classmates from A.L. will.
Jim Snowden
November 7, 2007
John will be greatly missed by all who knew him, I will always consider myself blessed for knowing and working with him for 7 years. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.
Clyda Fry
November 2, 2007
Katie and Kylie, We are so sorry to learn about the death of your father. Please know that our prayers are with you. We were unable to attend "Receiving of Friends" last night. Katie, we hope to see you soon when the "Central Gals" get together. Love, Bob and Clyda Fry
Happy Birdsong
November 1, 2007
A STAR on earth and now a STAR in heaven.
Thanks for being You.
Pat Carson
November 1, 2007
To the Evans Family,
So sorry for your loss, I enjoyed the time I shared offices on the same floor with John. He made everyday an adventure. He will truly be missed. God Bless.
Kim Ailor, Tammy Harvey, Jackie Paul
November 1, 2007
John was a great friend and co-worker. His sense of humor and laughter will be truly missed. Our deepest sympathies to the family.
Alvin & Debbie See
November 1, 2007
John was a great person who always had something witty to say. He was very dedicated and we will miss him so much. He was one of a kind. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Natalie Moore
November 1, 2007
John was a great, funny guy. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Buz Johnson
November 1, 2007
Johh was one of those rare people who seemed to enjoy everything about life. Working with John in Knox County government, although somewhat infrequently, was a genuine pleasure and something that I will always treasure. He was very professional in his work, but could manage a humorous line when the circumstance called for it. What a great person to be around. To John's daugthers and the rest his family, my thoughts and prayers go with you in this difficult time.
Karl Wilber
November 1, 2007
To John's Family - The breadth of net cast by the unexpected passing of a person of John's quality is a testimony to who he was. Please accept the deepest sympathies from your former neighbors in Fountain City. Andrew, Ryan, Julie and Karl Wilber
Thomas Carter
November 1, 2007
I really don't know how to begin to write about my friend, John "TIRE DADDY" Evans. How can I convey in mere words the 20 plus years of shared laughs, well; really uncontrollable outbursts of hilarity; 20 years of environmental concerns mixed with many hard fought “Green” victories; and 20 years of picking each other up when life had dealt its occasional harsh realities.
I am told the reason John and I are such good friends is that we both find it nearly impossible to be serious for any stretch of time. As many of you know we were asked not to sit near each other in State committee meetings due to our inability to restrain ourselves in leveling a good pun or an ill-timed comment. So we honored the request and sit on opposite sides of the room which only led us to making facial gestures which turned into a scoring system on the many subjects of the day (you know those 1through10 scoring scales) which we would share from across the room with each other like we were at a diving event. It was at such a meeting that John labeled me as “Tire Boy” as I had started a waste tire recycling company. John had very much supported the waste tire legislation and was one of the first to provide hundreds of thousands of tires to be recycled, so we only felt it fair and appropriate to name him “Tire Daddy”, (he also named one of our Ivy League engineering grads “Shred” as in tire shredding; we don't think “Shred” ever really "got it"). Diane Roach, John’s executive assistant would later tell me that when John and I met in his office the staff would shut their doors and Diane would ask we hold it down as the office became our version of the comedy store.
While John was often laughing on the surface, the wit and humor should never be construed as indifference. John was very serious about caring for and improving the environment we survive within. It was just that John was intelligent enough to realize the “Chicken Little” approach and delivering nothing but facts and stats just seems to be boring to most and was not a motivational tool.
John is a leader; his death will not change that, as John led by example in both his private and public life. Johns many innovated approaches will continue on for years, not just in Knox County but throughout the Southeast. While I appreciate all he has done for my state, Tennessee, and all that his programs will do in the years to come; those accomplishments are the lesser part of what I will recall. The greater part of what I will recall is that I have had the honor and privilege to know the Man, John Evans, and he was my friend.
See you later Tire Daddy
Joyce Seidel Hausman
November 1, 2007
My heart goes out to those closest to John. I know your loss is greater than words can describe. I count myself among the many who will miss John very much.
Babbet Duggan Harbison
November 1, 2007
What a beautiful difference one single life made. I'll miss you dearly.
Chris Granju
October 31, 2007
Knowing someone who is smart, funny & dedicated to what they do is a rare an cherished thing in life. Having the opportunity to have a colleague with these traits is even more rare and more to be cherished. Knowing John, I (and many others) were fortunate enough to have both these things. Our community has lost a valuable asset this week. Friends have lost a good source for a clever insight, a smile and inspiration to keep at it when the going gets tough. My prayers go to his family and loved ones. Fond memories and the legacy of his work will live on.
Paul Merritt
October 31, 2007
John was a great and fun person to be around. I became acquainted with John shortly after becoming Grainger County Mayor in 2002. Grainger County today enjoys a state of the art solid waste disposal & recycling system primarily because of the encouragement and influence John provided me in trying to implement the current system. Rest in peace John. You did make a hugh difference in your work and the lives you touched.
Your friend
Former County Mayor,
Kelly Rakes
October 31, 2007
Katie and Kylie, I am so sorry for your loss. I'll never forget John and what a great father he was. His smile and sense of humor will be missed. We are here for you if you need anything! Kelly, Gretchen and Sean
Jessica Hatfield
October 31, 2007
Big John was an awesome man in every way and will be missed. He has profoundly touched many lives and has always made a positive impact in the quality and lives of those who have known him. The Lord made him perfect. May God hold him near and may God comfort those he has left.
Barbara Allen
October 31, 2007
My sympathy to the Evans Family. I worked with John on the House Mountain Project and knew him also as a fellow Knox County employee. He was a joy to know and work with.
Barry Simmons
October 31, 2007
We will all miss John's quick wit and fantastic sense of humor. He believed in what he was doing, and he did change the world.
Calvin Sneed
October 31, 2007
To John's Family: John was a gifted co-worker when we shared adjacent desks in the newsroom at WATE-TV. His sense of humor kept us in stitches, but his passion for reporting was unmistakable.. just a warm, caring, passionate reporter, and a darn good photographer, too.
To John: You know I can't come see you.. it's a ratings book and the boss won't let me off the 6'clock show (smile). Remember the standup you tried to do at the landfill? That fly kept buzzing 'round your head and wouldn't go away? It finally flew in your mouth! It's still one of the funniest outtakes I've seen. We all had some great times in Channel 6's "newsroom in the basement!" Seriously though.. I recycle to this day, because of you.. you finally convinced me, and I hope everybody else benefitted from your encouragement, too!
Miss 'ya buddy!
Calvin Sneed, News Anchor
WTVC-TV, NewsChannel 9
Chattanooga
Diane Roach
October 31, 2007
Dear Evans Family:
My heart goes out to you as you try to come to terms with your loss. I know that the office will not be the same without John. The last 10 1/2 years as his Administrative Assistant have been a wonderful journey. Thank you John for the days filled with laughter and for just being YOU!
FRANCES HALL
October 31, 2007
To John's Family:
John was a kind and generous person. He also was a champion for racial equality. I was honored that he call me a friend. He will be missed.
Frances Hall
Felicia Downs and Carolyn Gamble
October 31, 2007
John had a great sense of humor and always had a smile for everyone. He will be greatly missed.
Kristen McCarthy
October 31, 2007
Katie - My thoughts are with you and your entire family. Your father was a wonderful man.
Love, Kristen
Consie Krumreich
October 31, 2007
Our dear nephew and cousin Thump, We are missing you so much already. Your wonderful laugh and smile, humour,wit, intelligence and love for our family will be remembered in our hearts forever. Life without you will never be the same. We love you so much.
Aunt Consie and your SC/Colorado Cousins
Ted Krumreich
October 31, 2007
I knew John as 'Thumper' a nickname his family had given him. It appropriately described his affable nature and enthusiasm. He will be deeply missed.
Ted Krumreich, Denver,CO. Husband of John's cousin, Consie Krumreich
Keith Stump
October 31, 2007
John, you were a great great public servant, and I am proud to say that I had the chance to work with on some of your projects. Not only were you very bright, but you also had that knack of knowing how to make us smile...a true joy to be around. I'm gonna miss you.
Cara Rose-Nelson
October 31, 2007
John's big smile and friendly hello will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family!
Lindsay & Jim Fernhoff
October 31, 2007
Our thoughts are with you, Katie, Kylie, and the entire Evans family. May your wonderful memories help to give you comfort during this time.
Ron Benge
October 31, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Buddy Loy
October 31, 2007
John was a good friend to all of us who worked with him. He was quick witted and always made us laugh. He really believed in his work and was committed to the cause. We will miss him.
Phyllis Cline
October 31, 2007
We are thankful for the opportunity to know your father and brother. He was always a great encourager to us @ work.
Tom Salter
October 31, 2007
I miss you. Thanks for everything.
Judy Parker
October 31, 2007
I worked with John, and he will be missed - could never be replaced.
Mike Glovier
October 31, 2007
A great friend, a great man, a humanitarian, with a huge heart. John was larger than life itself. You'll be missed more than you know my friend and colleague. But if had to guess I'd say your somewhere having a large time. Rest In Peace
Wayne Waggoner
October 31, 2007
I considered John my Friend, when at Channel 6 he help me with the Fire Prevention effort in Knox County, when he came to Knox County to work he always offered me advice on how to communicte with the pubic. Knox County will miss him I will miss his friendship
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