Donald Gray Evans

September 25, 1940 – February 11, 2016

Don left us peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 at home on Bainbridge Island after months of hospitalization battling two aggressive forms of cancer. His fight was valiant, and his unrelenting love for his family evident throughout his journey. He was a generous, gentle, gem of a human being, and he will be deeply missed.

Don was born in Eureka, California and grew up in logging camps among the redwoods of north coastal California. He loved to regale his children, friends and grandchildren with stories of giant cookhouse breakfasts and antics in the woods. Don was the quarterback for Arcata High School, and his undefeated 1957 team was recently inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.

Don attended the University of Oregon on a full football scholarship and received his MBA in Finance from UC Berkeley. Careers in finance and operations led to leadership roles in Washington and Oregon, where he raised two daughters and a son.

In 2005, he married Pamela McClaran, the love of his life, and they settled on Bainbridge Island. Their meeting, later in life, was a true gift to them both and to all who knew them. Don retired shortly thereafter and spent the years pursuing his passions and showering love on their blended family.

Don was one of a rare breed of handkerchief-carrying, door-opening gentlemen whose kindness resonated with everyone he met. His strong, quiet presence was deeply appreciated by his family and friends, as were his quick wit and dedication to teaching and sharing his interests.

He was a talented chef, an avid cyclist, a beautiful skier, a budding artist, a home winemaker and a gifted mathematician. He volunteered for Bikes for Humanity, EduCulture, and Camp Fire USA, among many other organizations, and he also served as a math docent at Wilkes, his grandsons’ elementary school.

Don is survived by his beloved wife, Pamela McClaran; his son Brian (Ava Eriksen) Evans; his daughters Shannon (Rich) West and Taylor (Dan) Chavez; his stepdaughters Lindsay (Jeff) Browning and Darcy (Grant) Norling; his nine grandchildren; and his sister, Susan Springer, and her children.

The family asks that memorials go to the Math Docent Fund at Captain Charles Wilkes Elementary PTO or to a charity of choice.