David B. Evans

David Barber Evans, 74, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, died suddenly on Saturday, December 28, 2013. Born July 12, 1939, in Akron, Ohio, Son of Clarence Francis Evans and Ellen Barber Evans. He was the much beloved and treasured husband of Barbara Ann (nee Mathews) Evans.

David was a proud member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Purdue University and graduated in 1961 with a B.S. in Institutional Management. That same year he married his first wife, Rebecca Ann VanWinkle and reported to OCS for the United States Navy. He was commissioned as a LTJG and served as a communications officer on the USS Kearsarge of from 1961 until his honorable discharge in 1965. He felt honored to have participated in the retrieval of the Mercury astronauts in the early days of the US Space program. He was extremely proud of his Naval service and continued his dedication as a member of his local American Legion Post 134.

After the Navy, he started as a Food and Beverage Director for Hospitality Motor Inns in Columbus, Ohio and then Cleveland. He continued to rise through the ranks into corporate sales and marketing responsibilities. He earned his CHME certification and, in 1974, became the youngest president to-date of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAi). He continued his career in the hospitality industry as President of a hotel management company in Florida and then as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Pacific with Americana Hotels based out of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Along the way, he and Rebecca had 3 children: Lori Elizabeth, Kristin Ann, Bradley David. As a devoted father, he took great pride in his children’s’ accomplishments and subsequently his five grandchildren.

David moved the family to the Atlanta area in 1978 and started a franchise of American Advertising Distributors, becoming a pioneer in the direct mail marketing industry. His business interests remained diverse, including publishing The Actuarial Digest. In keeping pace with a dynamic industry, his business evolved into the The Advisory Group that we know today. He had a rare ability to interpret data and marketing trends on a local level.

In 1990, he married Barbara and doubled the size of his family with the addition of Michael, Matthew and Kara, her three children with her late husband Alexander Klimshuk. David & Barbara were truly the light of each other’s lives for 25 years. The couple became the loving center for their extended family and friends.

David was the embodiment of the Rotary motto “Service Above Self”. For more than 30 years, he was an active member in numerous civic organizations, an ardent supporter of “all things Sandy Springs” and a champion of its road to cityhood. He was a past president of the Chamber of Commerce and on its Foundation Committee to create Leadership Sandy Springs. He was past president of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs and a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. David held many leadership positions and served on numerous boards of various organizations. He was instrumental in starting Sandy Springs Revitalization and the Sandy Springs Business Association. He helped create the Sandy Springs Civic Roundtable which brought together numerous city government and civic organizations to share information, collaborate and promote community activities. Most recently he was nominated to the Ethics Committee of the City of Sandy Springs. David was truly a fixture in the Sandy Springs community.

He is survived by so many that will truly miss him: His wife Barbara Evans of Sandy Springs, GA; Sister, Elizabeth Toland of Chester, MD; daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Thom Stanley of Atlanta, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and Richard Stone of Alexandria, VA; son and daughter-in-law, Bradley and Sheila Evans of San Rafael, CA; stepson and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Christine Klimshuk of Lawrenceville, GA; stepdaughter, Kara Klimshuk of Atlanta, GA; Grandchildren Rebecca Stone, Madison Stone, Sydney Stanley, Jillian Stone and Cash Evans; Mother-in-law, Anna Matthews of Sandy Springs, GA; numerous much loved nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws of the Toland, Lloyd, Matthews and Van Winkle families. David was preceded in death by his father and mother, Clarence Francis and Ellen Miriam Barber Evans, step son Michael A. Klimshuk, father-in-law, Wallace G. Matthews, Col., USAF (retired) and brother-in-law, John Iverson Toland.

Several things followed David throughout his life…his ability to make and keep lifelong friends; his ability to create individualized partnerships and friendships with each of his clients; his passionate love of baseball; the enjoyment of good food, wine and a good time; and his love for family and friends. All of which made him feel blessed and enriched.

Memorial Service: Saturday, January 4th – 12noon, Northside United Methodist Church, 2799 Northside Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30305.

Reception: to immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in David’s name to: Sandy Springs Rotary Foundation, PO Box 28894, Sandy Springs, GA 30358 or, in his name, to a charity dear to your heart.

Link to Sandy Springs Chapel web site:

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=David-Evans&lc=7119&pid=168814252&mid=5793079