James Edward Evans

James Edward Evans, 86, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Cross Creek Memory Care in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Jim was born in Wolcott, Kansas to Link and Pebble (née Palmer) Evans and raised in Independence, Missouri where he lived his entire life until this last year. He had many fond childhood memories of growing up in the little house on Cedar – playing in the nearby woods or along the Missouri River in Sugar Creek, particularly with his big brother, Bill. Bill also ignited his lifelong love of baseball and playing team sports, such as softball and basketball. Jim was the protective big brother of his little sister, Ginny. His loving and godly parents taught him faith and values, which he would later pass on to his own family. He loved his childhood in the Fairmount neighborhood of Independence.

Jim graduated from Van Horn High in 1956 – the first graduating class of the brand-new school in Independence. He served as senior class president as well as on the committee to choose the school colors. Red and grey remain Van Horn’s colors to this day.

After high school, Jim attended Kansas City Junior College, then Mizzou as an engineering major, followed by William Jewell as a mathematics major. In the meantime, he worked summers in the shop at Liver’s Bronze Company. He would move from the shop to the drafting table and finally to purchasing agent – the position he held at Liver’s for many decades.

Jim married the love of his life, Melody Raps, on August 24, 1968, and they raised two daughters, Jamie and Rachael. Jim prioritized family, intentionally arranging his life and career to be present for his wife and girls and, later, his grandsons. He was consistently loving, kind-hearted, patient, wise, and gentle. He smiled and laughed easily, and he was easy to like. People respected him. He was a man of integrity and a man of deep faith. He loved his Lord Jesus Christ.

Jim was first a member of Mount Washington Baptist Church (his childhood church and where he met and married Melody). Then, he was a member of First Baptist Church of Raytown (during child-rearing years). Finally, since the early 1990's, he was a member of Noland Road Baptist Church, now called The Gathering. Jim served in all three churches in different ways during different seasons, whether teaching the Bible to middle school boys or singing in the choir or coaching church sports leagues.

During his post-retirement years, Jim worked for the Kansas City Royals and volunteered for the Jackson County Historical Society, but his most fulfilling role at this new stage of life was being Grandpa to his four grandsons.

Jim and Melody enjoyed many years of water-skiing at Lake Viking, joining coed sports teams, playing cards and board games with friends, biking numerous trails, going to the pumpkin patch annually with grandsons, and so much more. Early on, they saw the Chiefs defeat the Vikings in person at Super Bowl IV in New Orleans, and they traveled the United States extensively throughout their marriage. It was nearly fifty-seven years of making memories and “doing life” together.

The family thanks with deepest gratitude Cross Creek Memory Care of Lee’s Summit and their amazing team of nurses, aides, and staff, as well as his attentive hospice nurse, Melissa, of Advanced Hospice of Kansas City. The excellent care, compassion, and dignity that Jim received at Cross Creek was an immense blessing to him and his family.

Jim is survived by his wife, Melody Evans of Independence, Missouri; daughters Jamie (Dave) Stadler of Annapolis, Maryland and Rachael (Rocky) Allen of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; grandsons Evan, Joshua, Elijah, and Joseph Allen; sister Ginny Dresser of Independence, Missouri; step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and numerous other relatives and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Link and Pebble Evans; sister Evelyn Coleman and brother Bill Evans; in-laws Roy and Nina Raps; brother-in-law Steve Raps; and nephew Jeff Dresser.

Visitation will be at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055, on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. with funeral following at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gathering Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.