I am just seeing that Mr. Evers passed in 2020. My sincere condolences to his wife, family and friends. 
I was a student of Mr. Evers at Alamo Heights from 1986-88 and he was—and still is—my favorite teacher. I was extremely shy back then and he was patient and hilarious as I learned how to speak publicly and especially, to do extemporaneous work. His guidance and passion for speech led me to choose Speech Communication as my college major. And to not worry so much what people are thinking but to focus on being an expert communicator. 
I have thought of him so many times over the decades and wish I had told him how much he meant to me.
Much love,
Emily Reynolds 
Alamo Heights High School ‘88

I saw AH graduation photos today, thought I’d Mr. Evers, who for years announced all the names at graduation, and googled him. Sad to see he had passed, but hope it warms his family’s heart to see the impact he made on so many. He added incredible dimension to my high school experience - and I fully attribute my confidence and success in the corporate world to my time in drama under his direction in the late 1990s. He taught us how to own the stage and embrace spotlight. I will never forget how much he hated Total Eclipse of the Heart, and how often we used to sing it in rehearsals just to get a rise out of him. RIP, Mr. Evers. You were definitely an incredible educator, mentor and friend to many!

I was a student of Ira's at Alamo Heights in the late 80's. I've always been a weird one,  but Ira seemed to get me. One of my fondest memories is doing the fight scene from Romeo & Juliet...by myself...using the voices of Schwarzenegger, Stallone and Shatner. The other students looked at me like I was mad and had lost it. Ira was howling and wiping away tears. I wish I could have told him that I acted in three feature films; wrote, produced and acted in half a dozen shorts and even co-hosted a very funny radio show. Rest easy, sir. 

I just thought of Mr. Evers and searched on his name only to find out he  had passed away last year. I'm so sorry, Tanya and Karla.  I was at Jefferson during the Lanny and Ira days (graduated in 1972). What a time! I was in plays, did speech contests, and was in Mask & Gavel. We did great stuff and had so much fun! I have lived in the DC area since the late 70s, but I was down in SA doing a master's degree in 1998-99. I had heard that Mr. Evers had moved on to Alamo Heights, so I went over, found his classroom, and left a note on the desk. I never heard back from him, but I like to think he enjoyed knowing that he was still remembered and appreciated by a student from 25+ years before. I hope he is resting in peace or having a blast in the great beyond, whatever his preference might be. (I know what it would have been in 1972, but I haven't seen him in a while. ) Love to everyone in the family. Melissa Pittard

 I loved Ira!! He was an inspiration to me and always made me feel welcome and a valuable member of the  tech crew at Jefferson High School. It was an honor to be directed by him in a Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in 1979. His direction was responsible for my very first standing ovation in our 2000 seat auditorium.  I hold a special place in my heart for him. He was the one that sparked the tech fire in me even to this day. I now teach tech theater and I owe a part of it to him and Lanny. One day I hope to direct A Funny Thing and dedicate it to him. 

Ira was a gruff, sensitive, and deeply funny man.

I loved Mr Evers. He was a great teacher.  He was kind and encouraging and made me feel special. He was cool, too, in a way that wasn’t weird. I sure did like him. RIP.  He made a difference. 

What a simple obituary for such an extraordinary person.  No doubt just the way Ira would have instructed.

I'm sorry for Tanya and Karla's loss but no doubt you take great comfort in reading the outpouring of affection for Ira and all the lives he impacted in such a positive way.  That is surely the greatest legacy any of us could ever hope to leave behind.

Like the others here describing their deep affinity for Ira, I'm also a former student that truly had my life changed because of the good fortune of having him as a teacher.  He singlehandedly convinced me to take up debate and coached me through to some measure of success.  It was that experience alone that caused me to pursue a career as a lawyer.

But more than anything, he was that rare teacher that found a way to both push you to excel as a student while all the while making you think of him as a friend through great wit and an irreverent sense of humor.  That is a rare and admirable quality and it kept me going back to visit him for many years after graduating.

 I'm unequivocally a better person for my time with Ira.  He was a unique and wonderful individual who will be deeply missed.  Rest in peace, dear Ira.

Mr. Evers was my theater teacher at Thomas Jefferson high school in San Antonio, Texas.  He cast me, a little sophomore, in a lead role... and that was it!

I was hooked.  Performing before a large audience under Mr. Evers leadersip, guidance and mentorship was indispensable.

He will be missed.

Mr. Evers nurtured and encouraged all of his students.  He guided us into the areas that were our strengths while helping us grow and learn from the those that were not.  He gave us the gift of failing at times, but not giving up.  He pushed us to dig deeper and find that we were more competent and capable than we gave ourselves credit for. 

I have so many fond memories of just talking with Mr. Evers about, well, everything.  Waiting for results at a tournament, in a car or van as we went to different tournaments across Texas, in class or after school.  He made us all feel that we were seen, understood, and valued in those conversations.  

He was a role model for me when I became a teacher.  May his memory be a blessing for all the students he had over the years.

i loved Mr. Evers! i was in his speech class and debate team. Apparently, he needed more debaters so he convinced me to try. i was doing other clubs and cheerleading and felt that i wouldn't be good at it at all. But Mr. Evers was persistent and patient and kept encouraging me.

It is safe to say now that Evers also hinted that i might make an A in Speech if i did it. So through his many cups of coffee and quite a few cigarettes (his, not mine rec) he spent hours training me. 

As a team we traveled, with Mr. Evers at the wheel, to many cities to do our thing. He was serious about our skills but silly and fun when we took breaks. He really loved his wife and told us stories about her father being a policeman and there when Kennedy died. He was a hero. (Forgive me if that is not perfectly correct this was over 30 years ago). 

One bitterly cold day we made it to state finals. Mr. Evers had me doing Lincoln Douglas - one on one - debating. He encouraged me after each round. i didn't have the big suitcase of notes and felt very inferior. Mr. Evers told me that i could just be natural – meeting them point by point. 

The team told me that for my last round I would be going against the top debater from Houston - Bellaire high school. But Evers told me that it didn’t matter how smart he was or how big his suite case was or how impressive his record was or how loud he got – if I could find one flaw – a fact that he could not answer – we could all go home. That night, I just did what Mr. Evers told me to do and we won state! 

When someone goes out of their way to teach you, encourage you and help you to grow and change, reach higher and be a better person – that someone is a rare and precious human. 

Ira Evers is that person.


 


I distinctly remember the blizzard of Jan 1985.  A vanload of us was in Houston for a tournament.  Mr. Evers made the difficult choice to pull us in the middle of the event so he could get us home.  (We were all doing really well, winning most of our early heats) . Thus began a 9-hour drive with Mr. Evers behind the wheel, with the mission of dropping off each student safely at home.  When the last three of us were left (including Julian Schwartz and me), he returned the van and we tromped through a snow-filled parking lot and dug out his station wagon for the last part of the drive.  In spite of the icy, challenging conditions, he kept us safe and laughing the whole time.    

And of course, countless hours in the theatre and working on LD debate and dramatic readings in his classroom.  And I think there was even a morning where a group of theatre kids  "kidnapped" him from his house and took him to breakfast.  

He was a teacher, mentor, counselor, gentleman and purveyor of good humor and bad jokes.  He made a wonderful impact and a difference in my life.  May his memory be for a blessing.

I’m so grateful for the life of Ira Evers! He was a vibrant, witty, authentic man who gave students opportunities to shine and lead. He encouraged us to intelligently use our voices and treated us like real people, never patronizing. I will always fondly remember the good times and friendships made during play productions and in his laid back classroom. Theater was one of the most impactful and meaningful parts of my AH experience, which is owed to his beautifully exuberant spirit. ❤️

I saw a friend post that Mr. Evers has passed.  I have not thought about my high school teachers much but my immediate reaction was that Mr. Evers  was happiness.  He brought so much happiness in the time that I knew him and learned from him.  Rest In Peace Mr. Evers. We lost you too soon

Mr.  Evers was  my favorite. I was searching for a place to belong in high school and found it in the theater. He was a mentor and a friend. I was thinking  about him  just a few days ago. He had many corny lines that I remember.. “I said to myself, self said, what?”   He was amazing and will be remembered always. 

Mr. Evers was one of my very favorite teachers. He was fair and fun and confirmed my decision to follow his lead as a teacher. He influenced many and will be remembered fondly. 

Mr. Evers was one of my favorite teachers at Alamo Heights.   In 1982, I was one of the few girls on the debate team and we all had a great time! At the end of our senior year, several students honored him by borrowing the “Ira’ street sign (with the long post!) and putting it in his classroom. He thought it was hilarious; the principal... not so much! 

Ira was a classmate at Arlington High, 1963.  The tributes posted here by his  students confirm that he shared his wit and talent, so  brilliantly on display as we knew him then, with multiple generations of young people as he pursued the career he loved. You all have honored his memory by sharing your thoughts so well. 
Good job, Ira. Rest in peace.

Tanya, I am so sorry to hear of Ira's passing. You two were quite a team. Ira was such a positive influence on my younger sister Diana (TJHS class of '73). She always spoke lovingly of him through the years. She lost a three decade battle with cancer in November. I remember a party she and I attended at your place in the early 70s when I lived across Donaldson from you, starting my own teaching career in Edgewood. Ira's influence will live on in his former students. Paz

The world is a little less witty today. Fond memories of multiple debate road trips and spring musicals. One of my favorites.

I am so proud and thankful for the three years I had Mr. Evers for speech, 1981-1984.  After reflecting over the weekend, I realized that I probably knew more about him than any other teacher I had. He shared his stories, jokes and experiences with us. I remember when he was trying to get me ready for Humorous Interp he got up on the stage at the front of the room and did a full set of George Carlin.  (Minus the 7 words you can't say on television). He never washed his coffee mug because he said it would ruin the flavor of the coffee, and threatened me once if I ever tried to wash it. The mug had been a gift from a  student from Jefferson and we were not to touch it.  I never felt I lived up to those Jeff students he bragged about!

I was a student of Mr Evers in the 1970s. At that time, Mr Evers was the “cool” teacher. Funny, sarcastic and yet truly supportive of his students. He was a very special person. I am so sorry he is gone. 

Mr. Evers taught speech and debate at Jefferson High School in the 70’s.  He would drive us to tournaments in his van. We would sing Willie Nelson songs on the way. Totally dedicated to his students.  So wanted us to succeed. Spent countless hours coaching and encouraging us. Made us better thinkers and better people. I hope he knew how deeply he was appreciated and loved by the speech community at TJHS. 

Mr.Evers was my drama & speech/debate teacher at AHHS 88-89. He was by far my favorite teacher ( & I attended 3 different HS’s)  Thank you for being a role model and positive influence in my life. I probably would have had a successful 23 yr career in the US Army had  you not been a part of my life.   Thank you and we will miss you. 

Mr. Evers was my drama teacher with Lanny Naegelin from 1974-1976. He was the best teacher. Loved being in his plays. Learned so much from him. We all went to many Speech and Drama contests over those years. Those were the best years. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to Tanya. 

Mr. Evers was a great speech teacher. I was very lucky to have him as one of my teachers. I will never forget him:)

Ira Evers was not only my teacher, but a very good friend. I remember he used to give me rides home from debate practice, joke, and share his views on current events. I think he affected my life more than I can know. 

Mr. Evers... cast me as one of the leads along with Michael Berlet and Nancy Grout in The Fantastics at Thomas Jefferson High School in 1977.  It was my first taste of being in a musical.... gave me the fever.... i am still afflicted.  Thank you Mr. Evers.

Ira Evers was one of my speech and drama coaches.  What a character!  Insightful, caring, funny, entertaining...not just a teacher, an educator.  Everyone was equal in his eyes...all special.  He was able to find our hidden talents and guide us until they revealed themselves...(mine, was NOT singing).  What a great man.  I am saddened by his leaving this earth.
RIP, Ira...we will meet again...

What’s a great class , I was a student 
of his ,77-78 Jefferson High School 
He taught set design & acting in a way we all enjoyed.  He was certainly a fun man 
Who knew when to say “cut” for a bunch of 17-year-old energetic clowns.
RIP Mr Evers 

Mr. Evers was always one of my favourite teachers. I have never forgotten him and the impression he has left on me for the rest of my life. 

I loved him and he was one of my favorite teachers at Alamo Heights. Hugs and prayers for the family...he will be missed.

Mr. Evers was my Drama teacher at Jeff from 1976-1978, for Junior and Senior plays.
I can’t begin to imagine how hard his job really was, trying to get a bunch of high school kids to take the class seriously, but he did. and he did it very well. 
The classes were always so much FUN, but even with all the fun, he knew just when to lay down the law, and get us to do our best.
His endless patience, fun loving attitude and positive influence  will never, ever  be forgotten.
My most sincere condolences go out  to the family.
Rest In Peace, Mr. Evers. 

Karen K. Teniente

I was a student of Ira’s from 1996-1998. I tried desperately to get him to produce ‘Hair’ - he didn’t go for it.

I was never casted for any plays...like ever. Ira told me my skills are best utilized backstage. I thought he was insane.

I’ve spent over fifteen years in the entertainment industry. I’ve been on twelve Emmy winning shows and even won one or two Big awards.

And I did it all ‘backstage’ writing, engineering or VFX design. 

Ira was right my talents did reside in backstage work. He saw that in me at 17 and that’s what made him a great educator. He saw in us talents and abilities we didn’t know we had - and got us there. Even if it bruised our egos.

Alamo Heights was a better place, a place of imagination, talent and inclusion - all because of this man.

“We get by with a little help from our friends.”

Today and always, may loving memories of your Ira bring you peace, comfort, and strength.  Keeping you close in heart and prayer for your unexpected loss.  (Cathy Smith - JMHS)


Ira was the first person I met at Jefferson High School on my first day of teaching! He and I talked for hours about Theatre and teaching! He was the most wonderful, kind, and sweet guy you’d ever want to know! I loved working with him and missed him when he went to teach at Alamo Heights, my old High School!! They got the best!!! He will be missed greatly!! Rest In Peace Ira! 

OBITUARY

Ira Evers

May 22, 1945 – January 17, 2020

Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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