James Thomas "Hoot" Evans Sr.

Mr. Evans was born in June 1932 in Clark County, Arkansas, to the Rev. Joseph Washington Evans and Mamie Lela Hughes Evans. He was a resident of Calcasieu Parish for over 70 years and retired from Citgo Petroleum Corporation where he worked as an operator for over 42 years.

He was a master woodworker and enjoyed spending time out in his shop, where he made decorative items, furniture, and cabinets. He was also an avid gardener and was very proud of his grapefruit and satsuma trees, as well as his roses. Mr. Evans, in his later years, also raised doves. He loved traveling in his RV up to Arkansas to visit with family, and loved hosting fish fries for his family in Louisiana.

He is survived by one son, James Thomas Evans, Jr. of Lake Charles, two daughters, Pamela Evans Manuel of Lake Charles and Kimberly Evans Sellers of Crosby, Texas; two grandchildren, Brandon Shoumaker and his wife Erin, and Ashley Shoumaker Goodloe and her husband Jean Paul, all of Lake Charles; three great grandchildren, Brayden Shoumaker, Connor Goodloe and Evan Goodloe, all of Lake Charles; one brother, Carol D. Evans of Clute, Texas; three sisters, Maxine Harris of Lake Charles, Carolyn Richard of Lake Charles and Marilyn Willis of Clute, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and the mother of his children, Olivia Willis Evans.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 11, in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. The Rev. Ronald Evans will officiate. Burial will be in Mimosa Pines Cemetery South in Carlyss. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday and from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, all at the funeral home.