Jeffrey Clarke Evans
April 14, 1943 – December 8, 2014
Written by his son, Clarke Evans
Jeff was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His parents were prominent artists and very short. He was neither. He was very spoiled. He attended Gilman School for Boys. He was thrown off the tennis team for throwing his racket. He went on to the University of Maryland. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business — he’s pretty sure.
He torpedoed the engagement of the stunning hottest gal on campus, Rodney Lee Flesner, whose fiancee was seriously named Wright, as in “Mr. Wright.” Jeff married her instead.
They had two boys, Gregory and Clarke. Clarke and Greg were awesome to behold. Years later, he took a second wife, consecutively not concurrently, because that is illegal. She was the smashing beauty Karen Lee Everhart who had two wonderful children, Glen and Victoria. He worked in the corporate world for IBM where he believed it was his responsibility to stay in the same hotels as the United Airlines stewardesses. He ventured off on his own to own several companies. He had a framing store, was a builder and new home sales contractor. They all bored him, so at age 50 he became a carpenter. He was drawn like a moth to a sweater stored in a non-cedar closet in Patagonia, Arizona. There his weak heart’s light suddenly illuminated and it shone.
He said, “It’s Patagonia Magic, Clarke. You wish for something, and it just works out. Just like that. Poof. Patagonia Magic.”
I say, “Not Patagonia Magic, Pop. The magic is you. You spread your magic upon the town. A sunny day that followed you wherever you went. It’s Jeff Magic. Always was. Always will be.”
A Gathering in Memory of Jeff
By Ann Katzenbach
On December 15, a memorial service was held at the Patagonia Community Center for Jeff Evans, who died in his home on December 8. Linda Fong, a good friend of Jeff’s, acted as moderator and speaker. The room was overflowing with people who knew and liked the man who had worked for many years as a realtor with Long Realty, and had warmed a chair most mornings with a group of regulars at the Gathering Grounds.
Linda read some of Jeff’s favorite quotes – one by Doctor Seuss–who Jeff thought was right up there with other spiritual writers. There was lots of laughter and fond reminiscing. The words of Mark Twain came up several times, including one of his quotes which Jeff enjoyed: “ If there are no dogs in heaven, then I want to go where they go.”
Jeff’s niece Lisa was in town for the gathering. She talked about how Jeff was her favorite uncle and remembered him telling her not to take herself too seriously, a trait that speakers remarked on again and again. They also talked about his sly sense of humor, his intellect, the fact that he never complained, his contribution to the business association and to CHOP, and his quiet, self-contained spirit. Listening quietly to all these tributes was Jeff’s famous dog author, Sammi, who came to the service with Jean Miller, his friend and business associate . When it was Jean’s turn to speak, she and Sammi stood up at the microphone and she told some wonderful stories about Jeff, ending with the words, “We’ve had lots of offers, but I’m keeping Sammi.”
Michael Schwartz, a close friend, spoke philosophically about death, reminding everyone that it was inevitable and acceptable. “But,” he said, “It’s okay to miss somebody.”
There will be lots of people missing Jeff — especially the discussion group that meets on Wednesday evenings, the morning regulars at the Gathering Grounds, his longtime friend and fellow realtor, Jean Miller, and, of course, Sammi.