Kenneth Evans

December 5, 1921 - January 11, 2011

Kenneth O. Evans, at rest at his home at Eskaton Village, Placerville on Jan. 11, 2011; beloved husband since 1993 of Barbara E. Evans; loving father of Cherolyn (Ted) Dowell of Vernal, Utah, Greg (Charlene) Evans of Simi Valley, CA and Terralea (Don) Hayes of White City, OR and step-father of Bill (Liz) Fyfe of Reno, NV, Beverly (Dale) Hartwick of Pollock Pines and Jim (Sara) Fyfe of Placerville; brother of 1st Lt. Tommy (Pat) Evans, USMC, Ret. of Dana Point, CA and the Late Lucille Horton and the Late Gladys Knowles; devoted grandfather of Gregory and Dennis Evans, Michelle Rogers, Lori Hubbard, Tyniece Dowell, Tabrenia Davidson, Shelly and Paul Bisenday, Angie (Mike) Fraley, Cadye Allen, Bo (Brandy) Glover, Hannah (Greg) Zackney, Titus (Jennie) Hartwick and Rebecca, Gregory and Kayla Fyfe; great grandfather of Richard , Evan and Levi Hubbard, Tristine Slaugh, Conner Davidson, Kaiya Evans, Isabella and Savannah Fraley, Stephan Cramer, Bailee Glover, Sadye, Grant and Alyvia Allen, Eijah, Matthew and Lincoln Zackney and Ava and Quinci Hartwick.

In the Second World War Kenneth was a belly gunner on a B-25 bomber stationed in England. During one of his missions his plane was shot up so badly that two personnel on board had been killed and they were losing altitude and thereby were unable to make it back to their base. The pilot suggested that the remaining crew discard anything of weight in order for the plane to maintain its altitude, but after doing so the plane was still losing altitude. Kenneth told the pilot he knew how to unload 160 pounds and he bailed out over France in his efforts to save the remaining crew and plane.

Kenneth's actions were successful as the plane did make it back to England. Kenneth, however, landed safely in France and was rescued by the French underground who hid him from the Germans who were looking for the parachutist that had bailed out of the plane. He was hidden for weeks by his rescuers who took out him daily, in the open, in order to get him closer to the ocean.

Arrangements were made for a boat to pick Kenneth up in the nearby ocean. The beach was patrolled by the German Army, but Kenneth was successful and made his connection with the boat and returned to England safely.

Kenneth was praised by his fellow crew members and received the appropriate commendations for his acts which saved his plane and crew. Clearly his actions were above and beyond the call of duty.

Kenneth was a 38 year employee for Pacific Bell and a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2680 and American Legion Post 119 both of Placerville.

A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Westwood Hills Memorial Park, 2720 Cold Springs Rd., Placerville. Friends may sign a guestbook and leave condolences at www.chapelofthepinesfunerals.com. Arrangements by Chapel of the Pines Funeral Home, Placerville, CA. Contributions in Kenneth’s name are preferred to Snowline Hospice, 6520 Pleasant Valley Rd., Diamond Springs, CA 95619, www.snowlinehospice.org.