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Melvin Evans of Zillah, WA passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at Memorial Hospital. He was born July 20, 1925 to Lloyd and Alverta Evans in Topeka, Kansas. Melvin graduated from the University of Colorado in 1951. He married Ima Jean Reno (Pierson) in 1971. They have been blessed with three children, eight grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.
Melvin taught music in both Washington and Oregon for 40 years. His gift of music was evident by teaching many forms of band, choir and through private lessons. He was able to play every form of instrument with the exception of the harp. Melvin also enjoyed singing as a soloist and was proud to have had the opportunity to sing the Lord’s Prayer at all of his grandchildren’s weddings. His musical skills have been shared with his grandchildren and great grandchildren through personal coaching and he gifted instruments to each grandchild. He retired from full-time teaching in 1990, but continued working as a substitute teacher in the Zillah School District until 2010. He also taught German and was very active in the Zillah Community Choir.
Melvin had accepted Christ as his personal Savior and loved the Lord with all his heart and was a member of the Buena Baptist Church where he often sang. Besides his passion for music, Melvin also enjoyed RV camping, gardening, completing puzzles, grilling BBQ, spending time with family, visiting with friends in Hood River, Milton-Freewater and Zillah, and was an avid reader. He loved his dog Andy and his cat George.
Melvin had served in the United States Navy as an X-ray Technician. He served during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He was proud to have had the opportunity to serve his country and often told stories of his time in service.
He is survived by his wife, Ima Jean (Pierson)Evans; daughters, Creta (Evans) Larson (husband John), and Sherie (Reno) Miner; son, Steven Reno (wife Debbie); granddaughters, Brenda (Miner) Rountree (husband Stephen), Trinda (Miner) East (husband Jade), Tawnda (Miner) Brown (husband Barry), and Brittney Larson; grandsons, Todd Miner (wife Jennifer), Vincent Reno (wife Michelle), Adam Reno (wife Ammie), and Brian Reno (wife Ashley); and 10 great-grandchildren.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents and recently by his beloved son-in-law, Marvin Miner.
Visitation will be 1-4pm on Friday, December 2, 2011 at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 3, also held at Valley Hills Funeral Home with a graveside service at the Zillah City Cemetery immediately following. Valley Hills Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.valleyhillsfh.com.
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He was a great teacher. I learned a lot from him. I will miss him, he was like a father to me. My name is David Elmore and I was a student of his all through my school years.
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He was such a great band teacher and all students loved him. He will be truly missed. My condolences go out to his family.
Sally
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Mel was my music teacher at Cascade Locks High School during my freshman and sophomore year. And maybe my junior year. I enjoyed him very much. He organized our dance band for which I was the drummer. He was a great teacher. Sorry to hear of his passing.
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For a man who will be so very missed as he was so very loved. Hugs and prayers to all his family.
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Mel was my great grandfather. I had the pleasure of spending a good portion of my childhood with him, and made a LOT of great memories. I loved him very much and miss him dearly. I am very happy to say that the last words he said to me before he passed was that he was very proud of the man I have become and could not be more happy to see how much I have grown! I love you grandpa you hold a very special place in my heart and will never be forgotten!
R.I.P
-Your grandson Tyler
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Mr. Evans was a great music teacher. I am so sorry to the family for the loss of a great, kind teacher, and someone who cared about god and his country.
Sincerely,
Dawn Lyons (Mac-hi Class of 1989)
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Mel was both my band and choir teacher when I was in high school at McLoughlin Union High in Milton-Freewater, OR from 1985-1989. Mel was a wonderful person. I respected him as a teacher and as a friend. I am so thankful I was allowed to meet him and know him as I did as he was a positive influence in my life. He will be greatly missed. My condolences for your loss.
Sincerely,
Michelle Eytchison
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I am sorry for your loss. Mel was my band teacher at Mac-Hi, for the last 3 years of his full-time teaching. He was a great teacher, and a great man. My sincere condolences to you all. SSG Karl Laeger, US Army (class of 91, Mac-Hi).
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I had the privilege of knowing MEL, he was our band and choir teacher at Mac-Hi.. We were a very active choir the 4 years I was there, and even through all the hard times we gave Mr.Evans, he would usually smile just go on with his teaching....
I gotta say..even after all the years, he is the 1 teacher that will always be remembered....
My heart and prayers go out to the family, and all the people this man blessed with his passion ..
Thank you" MEL"...Mr.Evens...you will be missed!!
Trae Robertson
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My condolences to your family. Mel was my band teacher and I have many, many fond memories of the man and his teaching. I will never forget him and the fun we had in class and on band trips.
My thoughts are with you at this time of sadness.
Sue Rohm (formerly Sue Reid, graduating class of 1984).
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I have always been awe of Mel. He was a tough as nails, no non-sense guy, yet so gentile and kind. The man could pick up any instrument and play it with expertise, it was amazing. He is and will always be missed.
Ken Hodgen
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Mr. Evans,
You were such and inspiration in my life, and taught me to love and appreciate music. You will be so very missed.
I pray for peace for your family during this time.
Your life with live on in every note I hear.
Christel Leeds (Merrell) - 6th grade band :)
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Mrs. Evans,
Please accept my most sincere condolences at the loss of your husband. I was in his band class ar Mcloughlin High school in the early 1980's. He had a profound effect on my life musically and I still play today. I believe strongly that he is still teaching me.
God bless.
Jeff Hayes
Milton-Freewater Oregon
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My prayers go out to the family. I pray for peace for all of you. Mel was my band teacher from 5th grade to 11th. He was also my choir teacher at Mac-Hi. I have a lot of good memories of all the band trips he used to take us on .I have a video of one of the musicals he put on at Mac-Hi. He would get upset with us kids when we were out of line, but then would let us know what a good job we were doing. I was just thinking about him last week. I am so sorry for your loss.. Carolyn Warner Hobson
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There is no question that Mel was one of the outstanding teachers at Cascade Locks High School in the 60's! He took a small group of students and molded them into a good sounding band, dance band, pep band and choir even if he did have to steal some the athletes during half time to come play! He always had the best in interest of the student at heart and his joy of teaching was always evident. I cherish my time with him as a student and I know my enjoyment of music now was enhanced with my experiences in his classes!
Ron Jensen
Cascade Locks HS '65
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A loss for us but a gain for Mel. I had the privilege of playing for several of his solos at the community choir and loved it.
Sincerely,
Winifred Cooper
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He is the reason why I still play my instruments today. When I started playing (4th grade) music he encouraged me to try different ones even letting me use his C Melody Sax and writing out the music for it. I will always be grateful for he opened the door to music even more with all the different instruments he taught me to play. Thank you Mr. Evans, you will be missed dearly. I send my condolences to his family; he was a wonderful man and teacher.
Nickie (Thompson) Sanchez (Class of 2003)
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