GARDNER — Eric Eugene Evans, age 53, of Gardner, Kansas passed away June 10, 2023. A celebration of his life will be Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Wilson’s Funeral Home in Wellsville. A walk-through visitation for family and friends will begin at 5 at the funeral home in conjunction with a street celebration. Music, corn-hole and a beer garden will be set up outside and friends that wish to eulogize Eric will begin around 7. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the WHS Athletic Fund and Midwest Juniors Volleyball in care of Wilson’s, PO Box 486, Wellsville, KS 66092.
Eric E. Evans was born July 13, 1969 in Great Bend, Kan. the son of Earl Eugene and Harriet Lou (Franklin) Evans. He grew up in Macksville and graduated from Macksville High School in 1987 where he ran track and played football. Eric attended Fort Hays State University where he played on the men’s volleyball team and other intramural sports and graduated with a BS in Business Education in December of 1992. He worked in Miltonvale, Kan. at Southern Cloud USD 334 from 1996-2002 before coming to Wellsville High School in 2002.
Of notable importance to Eric, the student body at WHS and the community of Wellsville were his accomplishments during his 15 years as the Wellsville Eagles Varsity Volleyball Coach. Throughout his impressive career as Coach Evans, he maintained a consistently positive attitude, cared about his players and assistant coaches, told countless corny jokes and uttered many a sarcastic anecdote. The overall record for the WHS Lady Eagles in the 15 years he was the head of the program was 371-208. He had 8 League titles, 6 Sub-state wins, 2 Sub-state runner-up titles and in 2016 he had the Program of the Year. In 2014, the Lady Eagles brought home a 4th place state title. Many girls he coached hold school records in volleyball statistics and several are in the top 10. Eric also coached HS Track, both as head coach and assistant. In 2021, he coached the State Champion Javelin Thrower. He was so very proud of her and that major accomplishment. He was the Scholar’s Bowl coach for nine years and he was in charge of the National Honor Society. He taught Computer Applications, Career and Life, Publications, ACT Prep, Personal Finance, Business Essentials and additional preps during his time at WHS/WMS. He was proud of his athletes, proud of his students and a wonderful coach, friend and teacher.
Eric loved playing Golden Tee and darts and enjoyed being part of a Fantasy Football League with a long-time group of friends he went to college with. He loved his dog, Dexter, and taking him on car rides. He was an avid reader and was especially fond of Stephen King. He could also cook and enjoyed doing so. His wife particularly enjoyed when his recipes called for the smoke detectors. Eric, Coach Evans, Triple E…he made a difference and was loved. He was active in the successes of many students and athletes. He was witty, dry, sarcastic and also funny, gracious and full of happiness.
On Jan. 1, 2023, he married Amanda Catherine Graves. She survives at the home in Gardner with daughter, Mollie West. Other survivors include his step-children, Tyler Messecar and Catie Messecar of Wichita; his parents, Earl and Harriet Evans of Pawnee Rock, Kan.; his sister, Christina DeWayne and nephew, Tyler and niece, Chelsea of Buford, Ga.; his aunt, Charlotte McGinn of Halstead, Kan. and countless friends and acquaintances that will miss his presence in their daily lives at the school, on the court and track and in the social settings he loved.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Wilson’s Funeral Home
PO Box 486
Wellsville, KS 66092
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 13, 2023
