Alma Evans Obituary (1918 - 2015)

Tuesday, February 17, 2015 was the scene of a great reunion on the other side, as Alma Evans, 96, the last family member of his generation, left this earth at the home of his son and daughter-in-law Kelly and Rosa to be reunited with his beloved wife, Carma, and other family and friends. Alma was born the third child of John Arthur and Sarah Elizabeth Barney Evans on Aug. 6, 1918 in Parowan and lived his long, productive life there. He was a successful farmer, rancher, and trucker--a friend to all and beloved patriarch of his family. After graduating from Parowan High, Alma and his brother Arthur attended the BAC, living in the stable, cleaning out the barns and milking the cows for 25 cents an hour to earn their tuition. In November 1937, Alma met the love of his life, Carma Cottam, from St. George who was in Parowan caring for her grandparents. They were married in the St. George Temple on May 25, 1939. They were the parents of four sons and one daughter. He served in the U.S. Army, and when World War II ended, he moved his wife and two children, Bob and Mary Kay to Joplin, Missouri until he was discharged in April 1946. After the war, while cutting meat for local stores he bought his first farm of 7 ½ acres. He continued to buy land, at one time owning a ranch in Wyoming and one in House Rock Valley in Arizona. His son Kelly now owns his farm in Parowan Valley and the ranches across the Little Salt Lake and Bear Valley. Trucking was in the Evans blood, so he and his brother Arthur started Evans Brothers Coal and Trucking. He later sold Evans Trucking to his son Mark, but bought a truck to continue hauling cattle and coal on his own. Alma taught numerous people to drive truck! He never really retired and it was a sad day when he had to give up his CDL. He was a hard worker whose motto was "when it's too tough for everyone else, it's just right for me." His CB handle,"Captain Midnight," showed his disregard for normal working hours. He loved people and never met anyone who wasn't a friend. He loved to serve others and was a friend of the downtrodden, often bringing someone home for his wife to feed or to give them some work. He 96revered his ancestors and loved his posterity, and he wanted his grandchildren and great grandchildren to be the best they could be. They all have wonderful memories of hunting, riding horses, moving cattle, and vacationing with him. It has been said of him, "he's one of a kind", "one of the greatest generation" and "they don't make them like him anymore." Alma was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings including the Sunday School Superintendency when he was just 17, in the Seventies Quorum, in the Bishopric, and High Priest Group Leadership when he was 89. He and his wife, Carma, served a service mission to the Iron County Rest Home, and he was a faithful home teacher. He always wanted to serve a mission and taught the gospel to everyone he met who would listen, especially those who were his captive audience while trucking. Alma is survived by his five children, Bob (Jackie), Rick (LynNae), Mark (Joyce), and Kelly (Rosa), of Parowan, and Mary Kay (Dean) DeGroff, of Orem, 32 grandchildren, 89 great grandchildren,16 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, all who adore him. He was preceded in death by his parents John Arthur and Sadie Evans, wife Carma Cottam Evans, brothers Arthur Evans and Harry Dee Evans, sister Mae Simkins, grandson Russell DeGroff and granddaughter Jill Evans. The family extends thanks for the loving care given by family members, Jesus Ramirez and the IHC Hospice staff, especially Jill and Becky. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 in the Parowan 5th Ward Chapel at 1 p.m. There will be visitation Friday, February 20 in the church from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 prior to services. Burial and military rites will follow in the Parowan Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumortuary.com.