John William Evins
Corpus Christi,

John William Evins passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2015. He fought hard to recover from his lengthy illness, but it was just too much to overcome. He left us peacefully Sunday night surrounded by his immediate family.
John was born on April 22, 1927, in San Antonio, Texas to Thaddeus and Eugenia Evins. He grew up hunting and fishing on the family's dairy farm in South San Antonio. As a young man, John and his trusty .22 were seldom apart as he honed his skills and love for the outdoors. He continued to hunt and fish with friends and family for the rest of his life, never losing his love of the outdoors

John served as a Signalman 3rd class in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After his Honorable Discharge on November 13, 1947, John returned to San Antonio and began playing semi-pro baseball. He then made his way to the Georgia-Alabama Minor League and played for the Griffin Georgia Pimientos in 1948. It was during his baseball playing days that John met the apple of his eye and heart, Eula Mae Evins....his 'Maisie'....in San Benito, Texas and they were married in 1950. They enjoyed 65 wonderful years together and have been blessed with a large and loving family.

John began his work career in the dairy industry, a natural progression after being raised on a dairy farm. He worked for Hygeia Dairy in the Rio Grande Valley and eventually moved his family to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1956, to continue working for Hygeia as a District Supervisor.

In 1963, John was hired as an agent for State Farm Insurance in Corpus Christi. In 1967, he took a position as District Manager for State Farm in the Corpus Christi area. John appointed a large number of agents in the Corpus Christi area and continued as District Manager until his retirement in 1989. During his career with State Farm, John was recognized as one of the top District Managers in the nation. He and Maisie traveled all over the world on State Farm trips and conventions as a result of his hard work and dedication. Known as 'Big John' by his friends, he was well-respected by his many State Farm friends and associates.

After John retired, he and Maisie purchased a large motor home and began their annual summer trips to Colorado to escape the South Texas heat and humidity. From Fun Valley, Colorado to Gunnison, Colorado, John and Maisie loved their time in Colorado. They made so many life-long friends while staying for months at a time at the Tall Texas Campground in Gunnison. They leased a spot year-round so they could come back to the same beautiful site year after year where John would fish and Maisie would play bridge.

John is survived by his wife, Eula Mae Evins, his daughter Kathy Smith and her husband Bruce Smith, his son Larry Evins, his son David Evins and his wife Colleen Evins, eight grand-children, five great grand-children, and a large number of family and friends. He is predeceased by his parents Thad and Eugenia Evins. 'Big Dad' will be missed by all.

Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, November 3rd, from 6:30 pm - 8 pm at Kings Crossing Church of Christ, 5901 Yorktown Blvd, Corpus Christi, Texas. A memorial service will be held at noon on Wednesday, November 4th at Kings Crossing Church of Christ. John will be laid to rest at a private graveside service at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Kings Crossing Church of Christ Building Fund.