Nelson Evans
August 23, 1932 – January 23, 2015
Nelson Evans came into this world on August 23, 1932, in Paducah, TX and he joined our heavenly father on January 23, 2015, surrounded by his wife and family.
Nelson and Beverly Evans were blessed to have 62 years of marriage. They were high school sweethearts and were married in Lubbock on August 29, 1952.
Nelson graduated from Lubbock High School in 1951. He then attended Texas Tech College and received a degree in Civil Engineering. Nelson served in the ROTC while at Tech and upon graduation went into the Air Force as a lieutenant. While in the Air Force he went through pilot training and became a fighter pilot. Nelson very much enjoyed his service in the Air Force, but chose to go into civilian life and work as an engineer. He started his engineering career with Boeing Airplane Company. He then returned to Texas to work for the Corp of Engineers and then as base engineer at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin. While at Bergstrom he attended the University of Texas and received a Masters Degree in Highway Engineering.
Upon receiving his Masters Degree he joined The Bureau of Public Roads, which later became the Federal Highway Administration. During his 25 years with Federal Highway he worked on numerous projects, including the United States Interstate Highway System. Upon retiring from Federal Highway Nelson started a new career with the Texas Engineering Extension Service at Texas A&M. Nelson and Beverly lived in 14 different locations during their marriage, but when Nelson joined TEEX in 1983 they moved to Bryan, Texas, where they have lived very happily ever since. Nelson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1998 and retired from TEEX in 1999 so that he and Beverly could continue to enjoy traveling while he was able.
During his years in Bryan, Nelson served the community in a number of different ways, including his time as an elder at the A&M Church of Christ and his volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity. Nelson and Beverly loved supporting missionaries through A&M Church. While working with the missionary program they visited missionaries in the Philippines and Thailand.
Nelson had such a peaceful spirit. He delighted in his friends and family. His friends always knew that he considered it a joy to be with them. During their years in college, the Air Force and the Federal Highway Administration, he and Beverly made lasting friendships. They never quit traveling across the country to reconnect and catch up with those friends. In their middle years, while Beverly was working as a travel agent, they traversed the globe. During their retirement years they traveled often with their children and grandchildren. Their 50th anniversary was a trip to Disney World and a Disney cruise with the family. Their advice to all is to not wait until retirement to begin making those memories.
Nelson is survived by his wife of 62 years – Beverly, son Chris and daughter-in-law, Joleen, of Houston. Their grandchildren, Allie Evans and Ryan Evans, have been a tremendous joy in their lives. They are so proud of their A&M and UT grads.
Nelson is survived by numerous cousins and his nieces and nephews, including Neta Lee and Michael Ferguson, Sarah Frazier, Karen and Tom Snyder, Dow B. Hickam II, Dow B. Hickam III and his wife, Rhia, Kelly and Ronnie Carroll, Page and Michael Hurley, Christi and Jason Martin, Melissa and Travis Henderson. The family tree is joyfully expanding and includes great-great nieces and nephews David Rios, Cassen Carroll, Hugh Hickam and Alexandra Martin.
Nelson was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Ruth Evans, brother and sister-in-law Monte Page and Frances, brother and sister-in-law Dow Hickam and Frances Hickam Godley, and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate Nelson’s life will take place on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 1:00 pm in the chapel at the A&M Church of Christ, located at 2475 Earl Rudder Freeway South, College Station, TX 77845.
The family wishes to thank the people who have assisted with Nelson’s care over the past few years including: Lisa McNeal and several caring people from Comfort Keepers. His caregivers helped him remain in the home he loved until he left us to join our father in heaven.
Nelson participated in many Parkinson’s research studies over the past 17 years, in hopes that future generations would not have to experience this disease. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to contribute to the National Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org.
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Beverly and family,
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you as you grieve the passing of this wonderful man. The last time we saw him, we knew the disease was taking its toll on him, so you can certainly rest assured that he is no longer in pain. He is now in the arms of his Lord. Meanwhile, our prayers will be with you as you readjust to life without Nelson.
Georgia and Kelly