Jerry Evins

ZORTMAN-Jerry Evins, 62, went home to be with the Lord on May 24, 2014, at the Phillips County Hospital. He was surrounded by close friends and family. Cancer has taken another victim.

It was Jerry’s wish that he be cremated. He wanted no viewing, no memorial, and no services. His wish was that family and friends have a BBQ, eat good food, play music, and remember all the good times he shared with you.

Jerry was born June 8, 1951, in Missoula, MT. He lived most of his life in Paradise, MT; but traveled all over Montana, parts of Wyoming, spent some time in Alaska, California, and Arizona working. Most of his life, Jerry spent doing what he loved to do, running heavy equipment on construction jobs, either highway, roads, or reclamation. He always said, “If you work at a job doing what you love to do, then it isn’t a job. You look forward to going to work every day.” Jerry’s work ethics proved how he felt. He hardly ever took time off from a job. His all-time passion was operating a D10 or D11 dozer.

Jerry made friends wherever he went, and he never forgot a name. He remembered the names of people he knew when he was in the 1st grade. It was not uncommon for him to be somewhere and run into someone he had come into contact with 20 or 30 years ago; and he knew their n a.m. es and where he had met them. When you ran into Jerry you could always know you were going to be met with a huge smile, a hearty handshake, a slap on the back (one that would about knock your eyes out); and if you were a woman, a big Jerry hug. Jerry was a loving, giving, kind, and caring man, and he wasn’t afraid to show it.

Jerry met the love of his life, Beverly (Bev), in Zortman, Mont., on March 17, 1989. From that day on they were soul mates. Jerry wanted her with him 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Most times that was not possible because of his work and his having to be in another state; but he called her every night when he got back to his motel from work and again before he went to bed. If the job got shut down due to cold weather, rain, or snow; then he might call her 10 times a day. If the job was going to be down for two or three days, then he was on his way home to be with her.

With Bev came five children, Contessa (Tess) Napier Hould, Herb Napier, Gene Napier, Lee Williams, and Melanthia Mitchell (now Peterman). From day one Jerry considered them to be his children. Her brother and sisters were his brother and sisters. Her mother and dad were his mother and dad.

That is just how Jerry felt. He learned that from his mother who was the same way.

Bev and Jerry were married on December 23, 1992 in typical Jerry fashion…didn’t tell anyone but the two witnesses, went before the Justice of the Peace, got married, then told people they thought should know. No muss, no fuss.

Jerry loved playing guitar with family and friends. He was an awesome lead guitarist, but never considered himself to be such. He usually kept his talents muted or totally hidden. He was never one to toot his own horn, so to speak. He and Bev had been married for several years before she even learned that he could also play the piano and harmonica.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Beverly J Evins. His children: Herb (Brenda) Napier of Forsyth, MT, Gene Napier of Sunbury, PA, Lee Williams of Spokane, WA, Melanthia (Michael) Peterman of Seattle, WA, Jaimie Evins of Dayton, NV, Kim Evins, and Kerrie Evins. His brothers: Johnny (Linda) Evins of Litchfield Park, AZ, Adrian Tremblay Sr of Malta, Lyle Jones of Boulder, MT, Ralph White of Miltonvale, KS. His sisters: Bonnie Jones of Malta, MT and Carol White of Miltonvale, KS. His mother: Juanita Jones of Miltonvale, KS. His grandchildren: Angelica (Aaron) DeVries, Trish (Brad) White, Jessica (Darrell) West, Sheridan and Cheyenne Napier, Braydon and Shaylee Williams Kennedy and Eja Evins. His nieces and nephews: Melanie (Marc) Valenzuela, Jake (Shannon) Evins, Brad (Trish) White, Lydia Adee, Bonnie Ann Jones, Adrian ( Amie) Tremblay, Orville (Noelle) Sieffert, Jessica Stallard, and Quita (Tyler) Myrstol.

Jerry was preceded in death by his dad, Melvin Issac Evins, his mother, Tressie Mae (Kelly) Evins, his daughter, Contessa (Tessie) Hould.