Kevin Jay Evans, 62, was born November 21, 1960, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, the third child of Charlie and Martha Evans, and passed away June 27, 2023, in Springfield, Missouri. Kevin attended Eugene Field Elementary School, where he made many of his friends that he was still close to at the time of his death. He attended Cherokee Middle School and graduated from Glendale High School in Springfield. Kevin studied at the Piney Point School of Seamanship and served in the Merchant Marines for several years; he then spent time working on a cruise ship in Hawaii, which solidified his love for the sea. He worked with his father, brother, and uncle in the family business of Missouri Mill/Hancock Fabrics as well.  Kevin later started a lawn mowing service business in Springfield, which he ran for many years, and had a vending machine business that spanned southwest Missouri.  Kevin was working at Clear Creek Siding at the time of his death, where he had worked since 2020.  His wonderful boss and co-workers all enjoyed visiting with Kevin, who was the master of turning a phrase! Kevin had a gift for making people happy and making them belly laugh; it was just who he was, and all of us that were blessed by him will have that to be thankful for forever. Kevin was a big history buff as well as a sports enthusiast. He was knowledgeable about all sports, but had a special love for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs.  Kevin spent many hours watching the Chiefs games with dear friends every Sunday; the Chiefs games will never be the same. Kevin spent numerous hours on Table Rock Lake over the last 40 years. He loved the water and lived for several years on a houseboat, which provided tons of fun for many of his close friends and family members, and later their kids as well! He spent many hours tubing with a group of crazy little boys who never let him rest, and also loved fishing at Table Rock. Kevin had a love for the sea and for being in the open water; as opportunities for spending time in the ocean were rare while living in Missouri, he always appreciated being on the water whenever possible. Although Kevin never fathered any biological children, his playful nature made him an instant friend to any child he met, and he was beloved by the kids of his extended family and friends.  Among all the things that were important to Kevin, Unity Church was at the top. He rarely missed Sunday morning service or other activities at Unity. He was blessed to have found a chosen family among the Unity congregation.

Kevin was proceeded in death by his parents, Charles and Martha Evans; his sister, Rosemary "Posy" Blue; and his brother, J. David Evans. Kevin is survived by his stepson, James (Amanda) Brashears; stepdaughter, Jessica Turn, and step-granddaughters, Ryann Brashears and Justyn Oriani, and step-great grandson, Charlie-Dean Oriani; sister-in-law, Susan Evans; niece, Donna Blue-Goering and great nieces, Evan and Amy Goering; niece, Mary (Sheldon) Pangburn, and great nieces, Lori Pangburn and Luci (Keith) Medlock, and great grand-niece, Lily Becker; nephew Jeff (Martha) Blue, and great nephews, Trevor and Tristan Blue, and great niece, Zoe Blue; nephew, Mike (Heather) Evans; nephew, Steve (Yoko) Evans and great nephews, Jonah and Ryusei Evans, and great niece, Sayuri Evans; and bonus family, Chip, Jackie and Casey Wagoner.

Kevin was much loved by his family and friends. He will be sorely missed!

The Eighth Bell has rung, your watch has ended; rest easy now, you have finished a job well done.