James G. Evans

James Gerald Evans, age 76, of Hot Springs, died Saturday, Aug.

25, 2018.

He was born on Oct. 1, 1941, in Bakersfield, Calif., the son of James Evans and Faye Williams Evans. On Aug. 3, 1962, he married Melba Cowan. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, John Evans; and two sisters, Paula Evans and Mary Patterson.

James was a Baptist in faith. He attended Delano High School and Porterville Junior College in California and retired from the United States Forest Service as an engineering tech. James was also a wildland firefighter. He enjoyed woodworking and drafting and was a member of the Central Arkansas Woodturners and the Sons of the Confederacy.

He is survived by his wife of

56 years, Melba Evans; three sons and two daughters-in-law, James L. Evans, Timothy and Amy Evans and Brian and Malou Evans; eight grandchildren, James Michael Evans, Christopher Lee Evans, Joshua Aaron Evans, Brittney Trent, Candice Evans, Christopher A. Evans, Amanda Evans and Stacy Evans; four great-grandchildren, Corbin Evans, Jackson Evans, Jordan Evans and Sladen Evans; one great-granddaughter on the way, Gabrielle Leah; one brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Vicki Evans; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of wonderful friends.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home chapel, Hot Springs, with Jason Clenney officiating.

Interment will be in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Visitation will be 1 p.m. until service time on Thursday.