Larry E. Evans, 74 of Fort Smith, passed away on March 9, 2018 following a brief and aggressive stage IV cancer diagnosis. He was born November 23, 1943 in Alva, Oklahoma to the late Lewis and Velma Morrison Evans.
He began his business career at L&L Machine Works with his father and served as instructor at the Votech Department of then Westark Community College. Later he worked for Warmack and Company and more recently served as Director of Operations of Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority. He was a member and Elder of Central Presbyterian Church. He also loved the fellowship he spent with his morning Kiwanis group.
Pastimes included anything outdoors, golfing, boating, hunting, fishing, gardening and barbequing with friends and family. Larry also enjoyed travel and being a recreational pilot in his earlier years.
Larry is survived by his wife of 41 years, Becky Naucke Evans of the home, his two children; daughter Ellen Selby and her husband Shane of Fort Smith, his son Preston Lewis Evans of San Antonio, Texas. He was known as “Doo-Dah” to his three grandchildren; Miles Andrew, Caroline Elizabeth, and Finley Cohen Selby. He is also survived by his only sibling, Debbie Evans of Pryor, Oklahoma, his father and mother-in-law Rod and Sally Naucke of Fort Smith, his brother and sister-in-laws; Rodney (Buz) Naucke of Fort Smith, Nancy Naucke of Atlanta, Georgia, Jane Corley of Little Rock, Fred Naucke and Monica of Fort Smith, Sally Naucke of Little Rock, and Jill Weindel and her husband Mike of Fort Smith. Larry is also survived by an Uncle Carl and Aunt Cissy Rose and his cousins; Tony and Fern Murry of Baxter Springs, Kansas, Linda Ziegler of Pryor, Oklahoma and nieces and nephews; Harris, Jackman, and Bliss Corley, Alexandra, Bennett, and Griffin Weindel.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 13 from 5:30 to 7 PM at Fentress Mortuary.
Larry’s Celebration of Life service will be at Central Presbyterian Church on Wednesday March 14 at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Central Presbyterian Church at 2901 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901, the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club at 4905 North 0 Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72904 or the Chaffee Crossing Historic Preservation Organization at 7020 Taylor Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916.
