Dean Evans

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    Dean LaVar Evans returned to his Heavenly Father on Sunday, January 11, 2026, just days after his 81st birthday. He left this earth surrounded by his wife, children, and several grandchildren.

     Dean was born to Woodard and Edna Evans January 6, 1945 in Roosevelt, Utah. He was raised alongside his older brother, Glade, and younger sister, Connie, on a farm near Altamont, Utah. When not occupied by chores or attending school in town, he pursued his own interests, discovering a passion for horses and the outdoors.

     After graduation, Dean attended Utah State University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Range Management. During that time, he met his forever companion, Lynda "Lyn" LaRue Winkler, to whom he was sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on August 25, 1967. Upon completion of his degree, he began work with the Bureau of Land Management, but was soon after drafted into the US Army. He departed for Germany, having to leave Lyn at home to deliver their first child, Deana. Shortly after her birth, they joined him for the remainder of his service.

     Upon returning to the states and receiving an honorable discharge, Dean returned to work for the Bureau. His job took them to New Mexico, Colorado, and Vernal, Utah. During this time, they added Tracy, Cody, Jodi, and Kit to the family.

     Eventually, his love for family and the rural lifestyle led him back to Altamont, to his parents’ property, where he built the home he would remain in the rest of his days.

     In his younger years, he spent many nights a week playing and coaching a variety of sports, leading many teams to the championship. He was known to bring out the best in each player and see the good in everyone around him.

     When it came to work, Dean was an overachiever. He was a natural leader and the kind of worker who would be the first on the job and the last to leave. He had a desire to learn and a do-it-yourself attitude, a mentality that led to endless projects on the house or the farm. Rarely was he found indoors before dinner.

     In his free time, Dean loved to “play with the horses”, gearing them up for countless pack trips in the Book Cliffs and High Uintas, or training draft teams to pull one of the many wagons he acquired over the years.

     He was a steward of the land, spending much of his life in the mountains, cleaning, maintaining and creating trails for all to enjoy. His brand can be found in the trees along those trails, carved by chainsaw, serving as a reminder of the miles of country he covered.

     For Dean, the mountains were as much a place for work as for play. The elk hunt was something he especially looked forward to. He rarely missed a season and made countless memories with family and friends. He even took the time to go in alone, simply to listen to the bulls bugle across the canyon and spend a night pondering under the stars.

     Dean was a master of nurturing relationships. Lifelong friendships were had in his local community and even bridged state lines. If you were his friend, he had a way of making sure you knew how much you meant to him.

     His deep love for family was evident by the regular family gatherings he organized and hosted. He and Lyn attended numerous sporting events, dances, plays, graduations, missionary farewells, weddings and baby blessings. He found great joy in being with those he loved, taking the time to support and visit as often as possible.

     The list of those that Dean loved would not be complete without the mention of his Savior. He was a faithful follower of Christ, honoring Him through worship and service in several church callings, from time in the bishopric, to primary, to cooking meals for trek and scout camps. His lifelong discipleship has impacted the lives of all who knew him for good.

     Dean was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He leaves a legacy of 5 children, 21 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and counting. He was preceded in death by his parents, Woodard and Edna Evans. He is survived by his siblings, Glade (Joann) Evans and Connie (Larry, deceased) Earl, his wife, Lyn, their children, Deana (Jim) Jennings, Tracy (Fred) Thacker, Cody (Becky) Evans, Jodi (Tony) Thacker, Kit (Felicity) Evans, and their posterity.

     Funeral services will take place at 11:00 AM, on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Stake Center in Altamont, Utah. Viewings will be held on Sunday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the church and on Monday morning from 10:00 - 10:45 AM prior to the service.
     Burial in the Altamont Cemetery.