Lyle Deray Evans

Lyle Deray Evans, age 96, of Spokane Valley, Washington passed away on Friday, August 30, 2024. Lyle D. Evans was born in Rigby, ID June 26, 1928. Lyle was the son of Lula Ruth Harris Evans and Uel Charles Evans.

Uel was born October 28, 1889 in Springville, UT and he was the only one in his family to serve in the military. Lula Ruth Harris was born in Shelley, ID October 26, 1903 and she had a ninth-grade formal education. Lula Ruth quit school when her mother died and worked in a boarding house to help support her father and her younger brothers.

Lyle's parents had a strong work ethic, and their talents, a belief in honesty and fairness, and their faith that was obviously intileed in their sone and his siblings. He had a total of eight siblings: Thoris, Illa, Howard, Merle, Terry, Philip Charles (died in infancy at 8 weeks of age), Frank Eugene (died in infancy at 5 hours of age) and Betty (the last surviving sibling.)

Lyle lived in Rigby, ID until he was about 7 years old. The winters could harsh in Idaho, and Lyle told of standing on the snow and touching the eaves of the roof of their house. Lyle's sister, Betty (18 months young) recalled a childhood story about a rocking chair in their home in Rigby. Lyle and Betty thought the rocking chair arms could serve as horses to ride on. Evidently they had no problem, that is until their father caught them riding on the arms of the chair with rolled paper in their mouths, pretending to smoke like cowboys.

After living in Rigby the family moved to Salem, OR where they rented a basement dwelling, then to Yakima, WA where the family picked hops, and then back to Idaho, then Shoshone, then a return to Yakima and eventually to Ellensburg, WA. They traveled by truck with a mattress on the roof of the truck and the kids on the mattress. In Ellensburg, Lyle spent the rest of his youth and college years. The rented a house in Ellensburg for $10 a month, and Lyle's father did chores for the landlord to help pay for the rent.

The family moved to a bigger two-story house on the east part of town in Ellensburg, not far from the college. The house had an indoor bathroom. This was something new for their family. Lyle's grade school was about six blocks from the house and the junior high and high school were about a mile from the house. At one point, Lyle's parents bought a two-story house on 10th St, and paid $1400 for the house. The family was so excited about this house because it had a second indoor bathroom. Lyle and his brother, Howard would go to town, when needed to get a big block of ice to put in the icebox. Of course, no refrigerators then. Lyle's sister Betty, shared in her autobiography, that their mother never knew this, but at night, teenage Lyle and Howard would climb out their window, go across the roof and down a tree to go have some fun. They would then climb back up the tree and into their bedroom as if nothing ever happened.

Lyle graduated from Central Washington University with a degree in economics, and through the course of his life he managed tire stores across two states. He served in the Army, but was always humble when the talk of his military service was discussed. He referred to himself as a "soldier between wars". Too young for one war and too old for the other war. His family wishes to thank him for his service.

Lyle was a kind, generous, unselfish man. He was a bachelor for many years until he met Katheryn (Kay) Gray, a mother of three. In later years, Patricia asked Lyle, why a handsome eligible bachelor would marry a woman with three kids, his response was, "I loved your mother and you three kids."

Lyle lived in many places with Katheryn (Kay) where managed tire stores in Sandpoint, ID, Spokane, WA, Bellevue, WA, Moses Lake, WA and E. Wenatchee, WA. He was vary community minded. Lyle was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lyle gave freely of his time to his community and to his church.

He was a very physically strong man with a big heart, and he was so proud of his grandsons, John and Craig. At one point, he moved to Florida but he still made as many soccer games that he could. Lyle was always there for graduations, weddings, and any special event that involved family. Lyle shared one Christmas after he moved back to Spokane with his grandsons and their lovely wives, Samantha (John's wife) and Becky (Craig's wife) and the Fab 5...Logan, Shea, Camryn, Caden, and Macey (great grandkids.) To say he was proud of his kids is an understatement. It was shared that Lyle's eyes lit up and smiles crossed his face when he was told stories about his kids. Family always meant everything to Lyle.

Lyle will be missed by many of the staff at Good Samaritan. Rosi, Kenny, and Joanne to name a few. Lyle created a wonderful friendship with Gary, a fellow resident and roommate at Good Samaritan. Lyle and Gary would joke, tease each other, and laugh together. Everyone at Good Samaritan enjoyed the energy from their friendship.

Lyle will be missed by his sister, Betty. Patricia shared that their sibling bantering was delightful to hear during phone visits at Good Samaritan. The autobiography that Betty wrote was read to Lyle during many visits there. Patricia or Will, mostly Will, would read chapter after chapter to Lyle. The comfort, the memories, the tears of laughter and sadness were all gifts from Betty's writing. At times, even the staff would stop and listen to the stories. The family wishes to thank Betty for sharing her autobiography.

Lyle will be missed by his grandsons, John and Craig and their families and he will be missed by the Fab 5. Each of them have treasured memories of a man who cared for them. He will also be missed by his daughter Patricia and son-in-law Will Herrington. The times they all shared are now memories, treasured memories.

REST IN PEACE LYLE D. EVANS - SON, BROTHER,UNCLE, HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER AND GREAT GRANDFATHER.

A funeral service for Lyle will be held Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 2:30 PM at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S Pines Rd, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. The graveside service will be Thursday, Noon at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Ellensburg, WA.