James Alton (Jim) Evans, 82, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away Thursday, December 22, 2022 in Greenwood. He was retired and of the Christian Faith. He was born February 21, 1940 in Fort Smith to Otis and Juanita (Peck) Evans. He graduated in 1958 from Cameron High School at Cameron, Oklahoma and attended Poteau Junior College. He married his high school sweetheart, Jeanie Cunningham, on June 10, 1960 at Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Cameron, Oklahoma after which they moved to Greenwood.
He was active in woodworking and the store fixture industry for more than 50 years at Greenwood Fixture and Display and Store Kraft Manufacturing Company serving in production, engineering, sales and administrative positions. He was serving as Vice-President for Greenwood Fixture in 1983 when Store Kraft purchased the company. After the purchase he and Jeanie moved to Nebraska where he served in several positions including President, Chairman of the Board, Vice-President and General Manager of the Greenwood Plant. After moving back to Fort Smith, he continued to work in sales of hospitality fixtures until his retirement.
He enjoyed hunting, golfing and spending time with his family. He especially loved playing games with his grandbabies.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jeanie of Fort Smith; son, Dave (LaDonna) Evans of Dardanelle; daughter, Karen (Mike) Moore of Ozark; his brother, Mike (Jerry) Evans of Fort Smith; his sister, Shirley Cothren of Fort Smith; grandchildren, Paige Provost, Ryan (Allie) Scantling, Allie (Miller) Dixon, and Jessie Whitten; four great-grandsons, Cameron, Abbott, Jaxson and Rhen; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Mack Cothren; sisters-in-law and their spouses, Shirley (Bennie) Goforth, Mary Ruth (Sonny) Farrar, Linda (Leon) Barnes; granddaughter, Meagan Scantling and nephew, Cary Cannon.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 28 from 1 - 7 p.m. at McConnell Funeral Home in Greenwood, where the family will visit with friends from 5 - 7 p.m. A family burial will be held at a later date.
Honorary pallbearers will be the surviving employees of Greenwood Fixture/Store Kraft-Greenwood Division.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations in memory of Jim would be made to a church of your choice.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
