John M. "Jack" EVARTS

EVARTS John M. "Jack" John Melville Evarts, passed away Tuesday morning, January 25, 2011, at his home in Westland, Michigan. Jack was born July 29, 1935, to the late Laura and Mel Evarts in Fredonia, New York. Jack had a passionate love for sports all his life. In high school he excelled and earned all region honors in football, baseball, and basketball. His football and basketball teams went undefeated all 4 years while Jack captained each of these teams. He was voted as athlete of his decade and is enshrined on his high school wall of fame located in Fredonia, New York. Jack was offered a contract to play A league baseball with the New York Yankees out of high school but chose an education at Michigan State University where he played back- up quarterback to Earl Morral. While attending M.S.U., Jack met his wife of 24 years, Gwen E. Smith - Evarts and also his lifetime best friend and fraternity brother, Gordon A. Mutch, who preceded him in death. A loyal Spartan alum to the very end Jack would always be found wearing the green and white. Jack served in the Air Force Academy and then took his competitive nature to the business world where he again excelled in the field of sales. Jack was employed with such companies as Reynolds Metals, Olin Conductors, and while living in Sylvania, Ohio worked for the former Harold G. Taylor Company on Upton Ave. in Toledo, Ohio. Jack is survived by his former wife, Gwen S. Evarts; his three children who loved him more than life itself, Julie B. (David) Sheperd (Evarts) of Westland, John S. (Kristi) Evarts of Sylvania, Ohio, and Jeffrey D. Evarts of Detroit, Michigan. Jack loved and held a special place for all 5 of his grandchildren, Brooke, Logan, Hannah, Ian and Celia. Jack fought hard this last year battling lung cancer. His competitive nature kept him in life's game until our Lord above came calling for another Spartan hero. Please come and celebrate his life at a Memorial service this Saturday, January 29th, 2011, at McCord Road Christian Church from 1:30PM - 2:30PM. A reception for family and friends will follow immediately at the home of Jack's son John. Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The John M. Evarts Education Fund, Fifth Third Bank, to benefit his grandchildren's education or to McCord Road Christian Church, Sylvania, Ohio. "Fight Team, Fight Team Fight, Victory for MSU! "