Dr. Thomas J. Evans

EVANS, Dr. Thomas J.
Kalamazoo, MI Thomas Jack Evans, Ed.D., age 56, passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2015 at Park Place Assisted Living in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born on October 30, 1958 in Kalamazoo, MI a son of Jack and Violet Sluka Evans. He was an excellent athlete who enjoyed baseball, softball, hockey and judo. As an undergrad at Western Michigan University he founded the WMU Judo Club and served as its first president. Tom's extensive teaching and administrative journey began with him earning a bachelor's degree from WMU; a master's degree from The University of Alabama - where he continued his Ph.D. coursework; then earning a doctorate from WMU. Tom was a stellar student and assistant teacher/administrator throughout his course studies. His honors include being an Alpha Kappa Delta member of the National Sociology Honors Association and an Honors College Member at WMU. Throughout his career, he served in the positions of teacher, professor, head master, administrator, principal and coach at numerous institutions in Tennessee, Alabama, Michigan, Honduras, Spain and Germany. Tom had several articles published in The International Educator and other educational publications. He also developed and taught a Spanish communication curriculum at the Portage Recreational Center for individuals planning to vacation in Spanish speaking countries. Tom was well respected by his students, fellow instructors and administrators. They described him as a man of integrity, as a man who valued those with whom he worked, and a man who valued a job well done. His colleagues overwhelmingly agreed that Tom had a positive influence on education. Tom's work was a reflection of his family life. He was an inspiration to his children and an incredible role model. Tom not only took an interest in his daughters' education but supported them in their extracurricular activities as well. He coached both of them in softball and took extra time with them at practice. He was always encouraging them and their teammates and quick to give them all praise and extra tips on the game. He was a loving father and son, and a caring brother and uncle. Tom is survived by two daughters, Elena Maria Evans and Stephanie Maria Evans of Memphis, TN; parents, Jack and Violet Evans of Portage, MI; brother, David Barbara Evans of Geneva, IL; sister, Brenda Gagie of Portage, MI; and nieces and nephews, Andrew Audrey Gagie of Houston, TX, Anna Bradley Trullinger of New York, NY, Margaret "Maggie" Jeremy Smith of Aurora, IL and Rebecca "Becca" Evans of St. Charles, IL. A memorial service will be held 1:00 Saturday afternoon, July 18, 2015 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street, with Dr. Mary Beth Sarhatt, officiating. Tom's family will receive guests at the funeral home beginning at 12:00 noon Saturday and again following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Park Place Assisted Living.