Always fiercely loyal to family, patients, friends, neighbors, and fellow ward members, Gordon Robbins Evans is undoubtedly already organizing a family reunion in Heaven and directing the affairs with a megaphone!
Gordon, or "Doc," age 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, due to the effects of Parkinson's disease and complications related to age. He was born April 2, 1930, to Alldridge Neslen Evans and Thelma Ellen Robbins Evans and grew up with four brothers and two sisters in the Avenues of Salt Lake City, surrounded by family.
Gordon's life was filled with love of his family and his friends, educational and professional diligence and success, and by service to others and faithfulness in God. He attended Lowell Elementary, Bryant Junior High, and East High, then graduated from the University of Utah and the University of Utah School of Medicine. He was truly exceptional at everything he touched.
Gordon served a two-and-a-half year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Uruguay Mission from 1949 to 1951 and married Bonnie Parker, a wonderful girl raised on a farm in Joseph, Utah, on June 15, 1953, in the Salt Lake Temple. Decades later he said, "The best thing I've ever done in my life was to marry Bonnie."
He completed a residency in internal medicine and cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic, and then practiced internal medicine with his brothers Joe and Burt at Drs. Evans, Evans, and Evans. He was a skilled healer who cared for a large number of patients, including missionaries, University of Utah athletes, and numerous friends and neighbors who dropped by to see "Doc Evans" whenever they needed help. He was never too busy for a friend in need (and everyone was a friend). Gordon was proud to be involved in the School of Alcoholism, one of the region's first addiction recovery centers, at the University of Utah.
Gordon loved the Lord, and was a lifetime member of the LDS Church. He loved serving, and whatever the calling was, he always fulfilled his responsibilities with a smile on his face and a friendly laugh. He was always fun to be around. His numerous callings in the church included youth leader, bishop of Monument Park 8th Ward, and branch president at the VA Rest Home. He loved spending time on his boat and at the family cabins in Logan Canyon, Wallsburg, and the Yellowstone Ranch, always accompanied by his loving family, ward members, friends, and grandchildren. Two skills that form part of his legacy: His capacity to work hard — and his ability to laugh at almost everything, including himself.
After funding and contributing to numerous missions, along with daily charitable acts of kindness, Gordon leaves a legacy of generosity and service for ages to come. Countless individuals learned to swim in his backyard pool or waterski behind his boat on Bear Lake at ward outings. Gordon always wanted to make sure others were taken care of and having fun.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Bonnie, and by his children Gordon Parker Evans (Cindy), Laurie Evans Nash (Richard), DeAnn Evans Walker (Dean), and David Parker Evans (Gaylynn). As much as he loved being a father, he found being a grandfather even more fun, when he had more time to tease, talk with, and enjoy the company of 13 grandchildren: Paul, Natalie, Emily, Gordy, Dee, Tom, Melissa, Abby, Allison, Melanie, Amanda, Lydia, and Nic. He's also survived by 13 great-grandchildren and by his brother Leigh Robbins Evans (Fern). He was preceded in death by two beloved sons, Doug and Brett, his parents, and his siblings Alldridge, Joe, Burt, Thelma, and Florence.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South in Salt Lake City, and on Monday, January 29, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the LDS Church Foothill 3rd Ward at 1930 South 2100 East. Funeral services will follow on Monday at noon at the church.
