Val G Evans

Val G Evans passed away peacefully at home in the presence of family on July 3, 2026. He was born to Ward and Elzada Fietkau Evans on October 12, 1940, in Roosevelt, Utah, the eighth of thirteen children. He weighed only 2.5 pounds at birth and was not expected to survive. He proved throughout his life that big things come in little packages.

Val loved God, his family-especially his dear wife-his neighbors, music, serving others, literature, the arts, and any opportunity to gather with those he loved. He had a gift for helping others feel loved, included, and important. Whether he was visiting with someone, offering a helping hand, singing or listening to music, or filling a room with laughter, Val made life brighter for everyone around him.

Val grew up on a humble farm in the Uintah Basin, where he and his siblings learned from loving parents to work hard, raise gardens, and care for animals. They had a life filled with love, and peppered with mischief.

He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints from 1960 - 1962 in the Eastern Atlantic States mission. Although it was difficult for him to talk to people when he was young, he was determined to conquer this weakness. He found that as he started conversations with each person he encountered he was able to overcome that anxiety. He grew to love meeting new people wherever he went. He seldom went anywhere that he couldn't make a connection with someone.

He met his angel of a wife, Joyce Bartlett, at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, in 1964. Though they had grown up in the same stake as youth, they hadn't previously crossed paths. They fell in love, and were sealed for time and eternity on November 24, 1965 in the Salt Lake Temple.

They made their first home in Logan, Utah where Dad earned his Bachelors in Education, and started their family with the birth of daughter Charlotte. His first teaching job was at the elementary school in Coalville, Utah. Here they added two more daughters, Bonnie and Andrea. They moved to Sandy, Utah in 1970 and between 1972 and 1988 they welcomed Mark, Boyd, Lynn, Nathan, Emily and Steven into their home.

Dad was a hard worker. Throughout his career he worked two to three jobs in addition to teaching, to ensure that Mom could be home to raise their large family. The jobs he worked included welding, installing insulation, gas station attendant, car and truck mechanic, truck driver, insurance agent, encyclopedia salesman, and gilsonite miner. Of all of those jobs, though, teaching was Dad's true calling. Mom would say, "he drove truck so he could afford to teach school." After teaching elementary school for a time, he earned his certificate to teach special education and worked for many years helping middle school students with learning difficulties. He wanted them to understand that they could do anything they desired. He knew that every person he met was a child of God from whom he could learn something important.

Dad served faithfully in many Church callings but especially loved working with the youth. He enjoyed camping, backpacking, fishing, and teaching others to love the outdoors as much as he did. He also loved singing in the ward choir and encouraged his children to join him. He also strongly encouraged his children and grandchildren in their love of music, both instrumental and vocal. He always loved listening to anyone who would play for him, and encouraged talent shows at every opportunity. Throughout his life he supported the talents of his family, attending recitals, school performances, and concerts.

While serving as Bishop of the Crescent 3rd Ward, he still worked two jobs. Many Fridays he came home from teaching school, changed into his blue coveralls, loaded a fuel truck, and left to make the deliveries. After unloading, he drove straight home, caught a few hours of sleep, and went to early Sunday meetings. His devotion to church service was a great example to us all, and has inspired our lives.

Val was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Gordon (Beth and Barbara) Evans, Chad (Betty) Evans, Warren "Kent" Evans, Wendell (Donna) Evans, Gayle Evans, and Burke Evans, sister-in-law, Pat Evans, and brother-in-law, Dawn Gatherum; his son, Mark Evans; and his grandson, Alex Hansen.

He is survived by his beloved wife of more than 60 years, Joyce; his siblings Forrest (Luella) Evans, Conrad Evans, Eloise Gatherum, and Kathreen (Terry) Thimmes; his children Charlotte (Steve) Hansen, Bonnie (Brent) Nelson, Andrea (Darin) Marsh, daughter-in-law Trisha Evans, Boyd (LeeAnn) Evans, Lynn (Rachel) Evans, Nathan (Brenda) Evans, Emily (Josh) Mason, and Steven (Kayleigh Dahl) Evans; 35 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren expected soon.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 10, 2026, time TBD. A Viewing will be held Thursday, July 9th, 6-8:00 p.m. (again place TBD. Interment-TBD