J Louis Evans

J. Louis Evans, 89, of Stephenville, passed away Saturday, July 24, 2010 in Stephenville. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at the Stephenville Funeral Home Chapel. J. Louis was born on February 1, 1921 in Stephenville to the late Arch and Thelma Welch Evans. He married Martha Oxford in November 1947 in Stephenville. J. Louis was elected mayor of Stephenville in 1956 at age 35, and served eight years from 1956 to 1964. He was a member and chairman of City Planning and Zoning Commission, member of Executive Committee of Texas Municipal League, member of the Stephenville Lions Club for 60 years, and former president. J. Louis was named a Melvin Jones Fellow by the Lions Club International Foundation for his service through Lionism. He also served on the Pecan Valley MHMR Board of Directors, Drive Chairman of the United Way , March of Dimes; Red Cross; Heart Association, Cancer Fund and Director of the Chamber of Commerce. During his time as a Mayor, he appointed a committee to write a Home Rule Charter taking the city out from under the General Laws of Texas and making it an incorporated city. The charter was approved by the voters. The city built a new police station and also a new airport, which was named in honor of Henry Clark, who served almost two decades as Stephenville Mayor. The south loop was completed taking large vehicle traffic out of the town square area, and a long-range water plan was implemented that provided cheap water and no rationing until the mid-70's when the city suspended well drilling for about 15 years. Property was also purchased between the river and the south loop for future park expansion, and two large metal pavilions for picnics, reunions, public meetings, etc. were built, as well as the first baseball field.. J. Louis served in the U.S. Army during WWII and retired later as a U.S. Army officer He commanded Stephenville National Guard Unit (Company D) 12 years following WWII, and was instrumental in procuring a new National Guard Armory for Stephenville. He also served as Commander with the Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post. J. Louis was one of the founders and president of Little League baseball in Stephenville. He also was a founder of Tarleton Athletics Hall of Fame, Stephenville High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Texan Club. He served on the Tarleton Athletic Council, and was the PA system announcer for Stephenville High School and Tarleton for 20 years, without missing a home game. He attended Tarleton from 1939 to 1942, was a Distinguished Alumnus of Tarleton, and also was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award; He wrote "The Spirit of Tarleton delivered at the December 1984 TSU commencement. He was the founder of Tarleton Development Foundation in 1978, serving as its first executive secretary. He was the Executive Director of the Tarleton Alumni Association for ten years. He retired as Director of Information at Tarleton in 1984 with 23 years of service. J. Louis was the editor of Stephenville Empire Tribune, Hamilton Herald News, and San Marcos Daily Record. He won numerous awards in column, editorial, and feature writing from the West Texas Press Association, Texas Press Association and United Press. His column "Jay's Scratch Pad" was selected first in Texas by Texas Press Association on two occasions. J. Louis also owned Tejas Bowling Center for 25 years. J. Louis is survived by his wife Martha; daughter Emily Roberson and husband Tommy; grandson, J. Brandon Roberson; granddaughter, Chandler Roberson all of Stephenville. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Arch Jr., and Barney Evans. Memorials may be made to the Stephenville Lions Club, P.O. Box 410, Stephenville, Texas 76401.