04/27/2022
Thomas Andrew “Thom” Evans, age 73, of rural Oskaloosa and formerly of Knoxville, Iowa, passed away at his residence, on Wednesday evening, April 27, 2022.
Visitation and celebration of life for Thom will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at the V.F.W. Hall in Oskaloosa from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. with Thom’s family present at 10:00 A.M., to greet friends and relatives. A memorial service, with military honors, will be held at 11:00 A.M. A luncheon will follow.
Thom was born on December 28, 1948, in Chillicothe, Missouri. He was the oldest son of “Polo” and Berdeen (Frizzel) Evans. Thom’s family moved to Appanoose County, and he attended country school in rural Centerville before moving and then attended Knoxville High School. After high school, for a short time, Thom worked construction until joining the United States Navy. He served on the USS Grand Canyon during the Vietnam Era.
Following his service, Thom worked as a millwright in elevator construction, for many years before he was the owner/operator of Evan’s Fabrication & Repair until he retired in 2010.
Thom was married to April Hockart during and right after his service in the U.S. Navy, and they divorced.
On April 10, 1976, he was united in marriage to Katherine Lorraine Comstock. Katherine passed away in 2012. They were blessed with three children: Candy, Jerry Joe, and Tommy.
On January 14, 2014, Thom and Jeanette Marie Ballalatak were united in marriage. They shared eight years of marriage together before Thom’s passing.
Thom loved the outdoors. He especially liked hunting, fishing, boating, and spending time at his cabin on the Des Moines River. After retirement Thom enjoyed wood crafting, especially making knives, tomahawks, hatchets, and canes. If you were lucky enough to be given one, you were someone special in his eyes.
Those left to cherish Thom’s memory include his wife, Jeanette Evans; his daughter Candy Evans of rural Bussey; stepson Paul Newman and wife Tammy; seven grandchildren, Haley, Shyanne, Matthew, Saphira, Mason, Nicholas, and Nathen. Thom is also survived by his brother Mike Evans of rural Chariton; his niece Molly; his great-niece and great-nephew.
Thom is preceded in death by his parents, “Polo” and Berdeen Evans; his wife Kathy Evans; and his two sons, Jerry Joe, and Tommy Evans.
Memorials may be given in Thom’s memory to the VFW Post #2237 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville is assisting Thom’s family with services.