James Rodney Evans

"Pastor Rod" -- husband, father and grandfather, high school teacher and administrator, coach, minister, conference speaker, NBA chaplain, Eagle Scout, avid golfer and loyal friend -- entered the world on November 11, 1942 in Ashland, Kentucky. He grew up in the Detroit Metropolitan area and met his Savior as a teenager at Inter-City Baptist Church.

Rod began his long and distinguished career in education at his alma mater, Melvindale High School. It was there that he met and married his soul mate, Patricia. In 1978, they accepted a call to Christian education and moved their growing family to South Florida. Rod joined the faculty at Miami Christian School and would later serve as an administrator and coach at Westminster Christian School. After graduating from Grand Rapids Baptist Theological Seminary, he served as a member of the pastoral staff, first at Temple Baptist Church in Redford, Michigan and then at New Testament Baptist Church in Miami Lakes, Florida. A life long sports fan, he also enjoyed a nineteen year ministry as the chaplain for the Miami Heat. For the last eleven years, he has served as Discipleship Pastor at Church By the Glades.

Surrounded by his loved ones, Rod met his Savior face to face on Saturday, February 12. He is survived by Patricia, his devoted wife of nearly 40 years; his daughters Lauri Evans Deason, Lisa Evans Hughes and Amy Evans; his son, Michael Evans; his sons-in-law, Thomas Deason and David Hughes; his grandchildren, Charlie, Victoria and Zane Hughes and Lilly Kate Evans Deason; his brothers, Gary, Richard, Mark and Jeff Evans; his sisters-in-law, Diann, Annette, Angie and Karen and a multitude of cherished friends.