Lewis M Evans

Lewis M. Evans died on January 22, 2014 at his home in Arlington after a brief illness. He was 88. Born June 18, 1925 in Chester, PA, he was the son of Lewis M. Evans Jr. and Mildred (Walls) Evans.

“Lew” (known to earlier friends as “Jim”) served as a sergeant in the US Marine Corps in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war he married Mary Lou Johnson of West Chester, PA. They settled in Media, PA and raised three children, David, Susan, and Ellen. He and his wife later lived in Massachusetts and Maine before moving to Virginia.

He worked in the construction business all his life, starting out as a carpenter and finishing his career as a home inspector and was a founding member of the American Society of Home Inspectors. All his life he was a dedicated volunteer to many civic organizations. For the American Legion he was both a Post Commander and a District Commander. He was a Mason, and a member of the George Bartram Lodge of Media, PA.

Lew was an avid stamp collector and spent many hours studying and cataloging his collection. He loved to build, from furniture to entire houses. He was also a talented gardener, whose gardens were admired by all who visited them In addition to his wife Mary Lou, Lew is survived by his children, David L. Evans and wife Eva Griffeth of Arlington, Susan E Trask and husband Elwood of Auburn, Maine, and Ellen Knight of Providence, RI; and a sister, Madalene Stromgren of Hatboro, PA. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Lew befriended everyone he encountered, from grocery clerks and postal workers to the staff and residents of Sunrise at Bluemont, his newest home. All who knew him will sorely miss his jolly good humor and quirky sayings.

Mr. Evans will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery some time in the next few months. Donations in his honor may be made to the Foundation of the State Arboretum of Virginia (FOSA) on their website (www.blandy.virginia.edu/our-foundation/online_payments) or via 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, VA 22620. Remembrances may be posted at http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Lewis-Evans&lc=1143&pid=169243966&mid=5827593&cid=em.legacy.dm.1143.5827593