Judge Thomas R. Evans dies at 63
Served 17 years on bench
Clare County Circuit Court Judge Thomas R. Evans, who presided for 17 years over the 55th Circuit which also covers Gladwin County, died on Monday.
He’d never fully recovered from a stroke he suffered late last year, his family said.
Evans, 63, is remembered as a kind and caring jurist with a love of history and a passion for justice.
“He was a kind, intelligent man,” said Clare County Prosecutor Michelle Ambrozaitis on Facebook. “Those who knew him are the better for knowing him.”
A native of Beaverton, Evans earned a history degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from Wayne State University.
Then-gov Jennifer Granholm appointed him to the bench in 2005 and he was re-elected four times, serving until his death.
“For Tom, the law was not a career; it was a calling,” his family said in an obituary.
“Most importantly, Tom had a fierce love of justice and was filled with abounding compassion. These traits guided all aspects of his professional and personal life.”
Others remembered the same traits.
“I loved working in his courtroom and the great conversations we had,” said Tom Drury, a Clare County courtroom security officer.
Besides history and the law, Evans loved hunting, travelling with his wife Trish, and sharing his love of reading with children. He enjoyed deep discussions, with anyone who wanted to talk.
Funeral services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Scripture Lutheran Church in Midland.
Visitation is 4-7 p.m. Friday at Ware-smith-woolever Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler St., Midland, Friday,
A time a remembrance and sharing is 7 p.m. after visitation at the funeral home.
Survivors include his wife of 12 years, Patricia (Trish) Morris; stepson John Bergtold and wife Alexandra, and their children Arianna, Emily, and Lucas. He is also survived by two stepdaughters Katie and Maggie, from a previous marriage; five brothers, Wayne (Jayne), Robert, Dave (Sharon), Larry, and Tim (Renee); one sister, Sandra (Rick) Calhoon; and numerous nieces and nephews.