Richard Louis Evans, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away peacefully at home on June 12, 2020 after enduring the effects of liver cancer for the past four months. He was surrounded by most of his posterity including his nine children, and his eternal companion and best friend, Tamara Ashby Evans, as he passed from this life. He remained a powerful example of faith, courage and kindness to the very end.
Rick was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on January 26, 1935, the oldest of the four sons of Richard L. Evans and Alice Thornley Evans. He attended East High School where he was a student body officer and played football on the team that won the state championship in 1952. He was then recruited by the University of Utah to play quarterback for their football team, which he did for the next two years. Following his sophomore year, he left to serve a two year mission in England and Wales for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While on his mission, he was appointed to be the associate editor of the “Millennial Star” magazine, a position his father had held 25 years earlier. This was published monthly in London and was the official voice for the Church throughout Great Britain. Upon his return to Salt Lake City, he resumed his studies and received a bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Utah in 1959. He served as a student body officer, was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and was selected his senior year as a member of the Beehive and Owl and Key Honor Societies. He then attended the University of Utah Law School where he became an editor of the Law Review and graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1962.
Rick and his wife Tamara were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 14, 1961. They have been blessed with nine children, 38 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. His greatest and most cherished legacy is his family. It has been said that the most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. We, his children, knew of that love.
Upon his graduation from law school in 1962, he and Tamara moved to southern California where he taught at the UCLA Law School in Los Angeles, and served as a Deputy District Attorney in Ventura County prosecuting criminal cases. The first two of their nine children were born in California, and they have treasured over the years the memories of so many wonderful experiences and associations they had there--key events and people that would forever shape his career and the rest of his life. After three years, they moved back to Salt Lake City where he continued to practice law for the next 38 years. Of this period of his life, Rick once wrote, “Time passed, seven more children came, life was busy, and I wrestled continuously with the challenge to find the proper balance in the use of my time between my work, my family, and service in the Church.”
Rick was a true disciple of Jesus Christ, and his great faith and testimony will be forever remembered by his children and grandchildren. He served as a Bishop for many years, and is most remembered for being an outstanding gospel doctrine teacher, a calling he held numerous times throughout his life. He and Tamara served two 18-month missions for the Church; first a leadership and proselyting mission in Newfoundland, Canada, and then a mission to the Nauvoo Illinois Temple. They were serving as Guest Service Missionaries at the time of his death. They were also ordinance workers in the Salt Lake Temple for 14 years.
Like his father before him--even as a youth, and throughout the rest of his life, Rick excelled and rose to the top of everything he did; in academics, athletics, socially, spiritually, and in his career. Yet he was truly one of the few people in life who actually did achieve this “proper balance” in the use of his time that he so earnestly sought for.
His brother John once wrote of him, “Everything Rick did was performed at such a high level because he was one of those rare individuals who possessed all the qualities required for success. He was intelligent, talented, spiritual, athletically gifted, fearless, and a hard worker with a strong sense of duty to God and to his family that enabled him to be successful in all that he did. Yet Rick was entirely selfless. I am aware of no hobbies that Rick had nor of any time that Rick ever splurged for himself. He did not want new cars or new clothes nor to enjoy listening to favorite music or to be entertained. He seemed focused on sacrificing for the Church and his family rather than on himself. His hobby was his family, and his life was spent sacrificing his time and resources to make sure they all kept close.”
He is survived by his three brothers John, Steve and Bill; his wife Tamara; and his nine children: Richard Evans (Donna), Daniel Evans (Clare), Angela Alvey (David), Michelle Tingey (David), Christina Barlow (Steven), Bradley Evans, Mark Evans (Wendy), Brian Evans (Sarah), and Emily Bake (Kevin).
A viewing will be held on Monday, July 6th from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT. A private graveside service will be held at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Tamara and family: I am sorry I was unable to attend the viewing Monday evening but forever grateful for the brief visit I had with you and Rick earlier this month at the cabin. May you all be blessed with the Savior's peace during this time of transition. With love and respect.
Dearest Tamara and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Rick's passing. We have such fond memories of our service with you in Nauvoo.
We consider you to be our dear friends and we loved you as great examples. May the Lord continue to bless and comfort you during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. John & Jane
So sorry to hear of Elder Evans passing. We are so blessed to have met the Evans on their mission to Newfoundland. Elder Evans was a very gentle but strong man in his faith as in his every day life. His life will be celebrated and his legacy will live on through the memories of his family and friends. hugs to all the family until we meet again.
So sorry to hear of your sorrow. My prayers are with you.
We are so sorry for your loss
Our condolences go out to you and your family
Richard was a wonderful man
So glad we got to know you both
We are very saddened to hear of Rick's passing, we send our heart felt condolences and love to you at this time. Scott has lots of great memories at your house, cabin and in the ward of Rick and his thoughtfulness and the kindness he showed Scott. We love you and will pray the Lord will comfort you at this time.
Tamara,
We are so sorry to hear of Richard’s death. He was a giant of a man. We enjoyed so much getting to know you in Nauvoo. You are both so loving and humble and a great example to us. We pray that you will be comforted and feel peace and that your family will also feel that. We love you.
Dear Tamara,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time in your life.
"The only way to remove pain from death is to remove love from life"
We send our greetings and condolences to you and your family. We are sad that Rick is no longer with us. He is in a better place. May the Lord be with you in your time of sadness.
We were so sorry to hear of Richard's passing and offer our sincere condolences. We enjoyed serving and being in Richards presence during our Nauvoo Temple Mission. Our love, prayers and thoughts to Tamara and extended family during this difficult time.
Dearest Tamara and Family,
Over the years you lived in the Monument Park 8th Ward (my former one) of my parents, Willard and Verda Nelson and my six younger brothers and sisters: Steve, Neil, Diana, Tonya, Susan, and Heidi, we all knew and loved you and your family so very much! Such outstanding servants of Heavenly Father and our dear friends! With a heavy heart learning of Richard's passing, I am so sorry for your great loss, sending our sympathy, love and continued prayers of comfort for you all. Thanks for teaching and serving all of us over the many years of our friendship. Due to this horrible covid-19 pandemic, I regret we will be unable to attend a celebration of life for Richard. Thanks for posting a precious obituary and so many wonderful pictures of him and your family on Facebook the past while. Loved seeing them!
Sincerely, Nadine N. Allen
So sorry to hear about the passing of Rick. We enjoyed serving with him as a Guest Service Missionary. He seemed like such a humble man.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Tamara, Rick, Dan, Angela, Michelle, Christina, Brad, Mark, Brian and Emily:
My condolences for your loss. What a great man!! He is one of those people of whom I can say made me a better person. I am grateful to have had Rick, and your entire family as neighbors and friends.
Best Wishes,
Mike Henderson
Tamara:
Just read of your husbands passing. So sorry to hear that. Sounds like you have a wonderful family to be there with you. Its been lots of years but value our friendship from our high school days. So grateful for the comfort of the gospel.
Send my love to you and your family.
Betty
What a great man he must have been. Seeing Richard's obituary reminded me of the family and of my friends John and Bill. I never had the pleasure of knowing Richard. I am trying to reach John Evans. If possible, I would love to chat with him. My phone is 801-369-1522. If it is possible, please ask him to call me. Susan
Tamara- Sorry to read in the paper today about the passing of Richard. Since we have a shared history going back to grade and high school you have always been a special person to me and, after reading Richard's obituary, it is good to know what an extraordinary and accomplished person he was as well as a devoted husband to you and selfless father to your children. Knowing you, you deserved no less. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Kent
It was my privilege to serve with Richard and Tamara in the Salt Lake City Temple for 10 years. They are examples of love, faithfulness and dedication. I cherish my memories and friendship with this elect couple. My heartfelt sympathy, love and prayers are with Tamara and her family at this difficult time!
It was my pleasure to be a classmate of Rick's in Law school. Later I observed him in practicing law. He was a man of complete integrity. If all men were like Rick the world would be a wonderful place. I admired his quiet but effective discipline ship of Christ. My wife and I send our sympathy to the family but are very happy for Rick's new experiences.
Tamara and family
We were truly saddened to hear of Richard's passing. One of the highlights of our time in Nauvoo was getting to know and love you both. We cherish those memories and extend our love to you and your family.
Ken and Dianne
We are sorry to read of the loss of your father and understand the sorry you feel for his departure. A good, honest, and faithful father is a great blessing in your life.
Dear Tamara, we were so saddened to see that your wonderful husband and our long time dear friend Rick Evans has passed. Although we have not crossed paths for several years, we will never forget your thoughtfulness during family weddings and when business events transpired between us. Doug loved his relationship with Rick in Sigma Chi as well as in many of the honorarium. at the U. You are the ideal couple in so many ways. May you and your family be blessed with happiness in all the memories you share.
Tamara and children,
The last time I saw Rick was at my mother's funeral (Bertie Walton) I will always remember him giving his sympathy to me with tears in his eyes as he spoke of my parents. I am so sorry for your loss, because I know it is a great one.. He was one of the best. When I read of his death, I could almost hear my dad saying to my mother, C'mon Bertie, let's go welcome Rick Evans! While I know the road ahead for those of you left behind is a hard one, I also know it to be one of great light and learning. I pray for the comforting Spirit of the Holy Ghost to be close at hand for all of you, and that you will continue to feel the love of our Savior throughout this time of grief. It is what gets us through!
Love to all,
Mary Walton Garlock
Tamara,
I was saddened to hear of Rick's passing. He was the best boss I ever had and I wish that CFS has continued as a viable enterprise so that I could have worked with him much longer. He was a great example to me of how one should live one's life. He will be sorely missed.
This man helped to change the direction of my life. I love and honor him
"He was a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again."
Shakespeare.
Sorry to hear of your lost God bless to you all Joseph garland N.l.d. Rust in pice bother God love 💘to all.
Sis Evans, we are deeply saddened to hear of your husband’s passing,,our sincere sympathy goes out to you and your family.We were blessed to have you both serve your mission here in Newfoundland ,lots of beautiful memories were made while you were with us ..He will surely be missed .
Love Ron and Daphne Short