Obituary

In Loving Memory of Jack C. Evans

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jack, a devoted father, grandfather, great grandfather, husband and friend, who peacefully departed this life on March 7, 2025 at the age of 87. He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, generosity and unwavering strength.

Jack was a dedicated father to his three children, Michael, Vicki and Julie, who were his pride and joy, with their surviving spouses, Kasia and Rick. He was a cherished grandfather to their children, Alexandra, Austin, Helena, Isabella, Madeline, Rebecca and Tyler as well as to his great grandchildren, Collyn and Jack. He embraced family above all else, always offering wisdom, laughter, and unconditional love. He now joins his beloved first wife, Jeanette in eternal rest, a reunion of love beyond this world.

Jack is survived by his wife, Kathryn, along with her children, Brien and Jennifer, their spouses, Ashley and Scott, as well as her grandchildren, Charlie, Ella, Hannah, Kate and Olivia, all of whom he loved and held close to his heart. Jack lived a life full of integrity, compassion, and generosity. He was a guiding light to his family and a steadfast friend to many. His warmth and wisdom will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Jack grew up an only child, born in Paducah, KY to James and Clara Evans, a shoemaker and a drug store clerk. They moved Jack to Inglewood, California when he was 5 years old. Shortly thereafter, Jack met Jeanette in elementary school. About ten years later, they began courting at Morningside High, after Jeanette boldly asked Jack to the Sadie Hawkins dance.

Just out of high school, Jack was selected to represent the United States in a National Baseball Team playing in South Africa, which opened his eyes to the great, wide world and sparked his love of travel. He married Jeanette at age 20 and had Michael a year and a half later in 1959. He then signed on with the Chicago Cubs Baseball organization, reaching the pinnacle of achievement of which he had dreamed, while putting his signing bonus into a down payment on their first home. While this was an experience of a lifetime, Jack later realized playing baseball would not provide the life he wanted for his growing family. He left baseball to study at UCLA with a plan to become a professor.

While earning his degree, Jack worked at a furniture store delivering to the beautiful homes around Los Angeles. He soon realized he had an eye for color, a knack for design and a love of putting together a home. In order to strive beyond his furniture delivery job, he parlayed one college spring break into a “test” of  whether he could do well in sales, working for free, in order to prove he deserved the promotion to sales. This started him toward his eventual management position with the company and then the subsequent start-up of his own furniture store. Continuing to grow their family, Jack and Jeanette welcomed Vicki in 1964 and Julie in 1967. Jack ventured further into real estate as he continued to enjoy architecture, furniture and design for the remainder of his life, living primarily in Newport Beach, San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Beach.

Besides work endeavors, Jack gave of his time and talents to his community and family, including coaching for his children and grandchildren, particularly in baseball, giving an invited guest lecture and also acting in a community theater production. He tried out hunting, fishing and dirt bike riding. He remained connected with high school friends and enjoyed helping with reunions. He engaged in community events for tennis, golf, boating and sailing. In later years, he collected antique cars and once held an antique car show fundraiser for the cancer research foundation of which he was a board member. Jack and Jeanette greatly enjoyed these years watching their children’s families grow, traveling and sharing their enlightening experiences of the natural, cultural and architectural wonders of the world with the next generation.

After the loss of his first wife, Jack met Kathryn through mutual friends and gained a new lease on life. In a lovely ceremony, Jack and Kathy married on a mountain top, in Park City, UT in 2013. They shared a love of learning, travel, reading and golf. They enjoyed many trips and family events, settling in Laguna Beach. In these years, Jack enjoyed a regular men’s group, the White Caps, among other wonderful friends’ and family events, including the birth of his great grandchildren. Throughout his life, Jack imparted his love of sports, particularly baseball–and especially his favorite Los Angeles Dodgers–with all who knew him. Indeed, for all eight times that his hometown Dodgers won the World Series, Jack cheered them on; thus, it was no small gift that for Jack’s final time watching the World Series, that his beloved Dodgers won, in October 2024.

A service to honor and celebrate Jack’s life will be held on Saturday May 3, 2025 at 10:30 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Dana Point, with an on-site reception following. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made locally to the LA Dodgers Foundation (LADF) as a reflection of Jack’s generous spirit: https://dodgersfoundation.givingfuel.com/los-angeles-dodgers-foundation

Though Jack has left this world, and will be greatly missed, his love and legacy will live on in the hearts of those he touched. We especially thank his earth angels; you know who you are. May he rest in peace, forever surrounded by love and baseball.