Gary Evans, formerly of this area, died Sept. 8, 2009.
He was born Dec. 31, 1952, in Martin, Ky., to Earl and Lutie Evans.
He graduated from Ferris High School and then joined the U.S. Air Force, where he was introduced to avionics. He earned his pilot's license while he worked at Felts Field as an avionics technician. He obtained a degree in education and went on to the Eastern Washington University, where he obtained a master's degree in music theory. He published a book while at Eastern on the history of the mandolin. He also wrote several books and manuals on avionics repair and operation. He had a successful music career with country music bands and helped organize and was a guitarist in Blue Ridge and Slim chance. After he finished his education he went to Purdue University, where he helped establish an avionics program and was also an avionics instructor. After working there he worked for Raytheon also known as Howard Hughes Air, Indianapolis; Rockwell Collins Corp., Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Skikorsky Helicopter Co., Coatesville, Pa.
Surviving are his mother and stepfather Lutie and Mike Kocik, The Villages, Orlando, Fla.; a brother, Earl D. Evans, Warsaw; and four sisters, Kim Hoff and Debbie Evans, both of Newman Lake, Wash., and Leeann Baumgardner and Lonnie Marshall, both of Milford. He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother.
Services were held at Newman Lake Tri Community Grange.
