Thomas Eugene Evans

Gene’s favorite inspirational quote: The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, answered, “Man”. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present, the result being that he does not live in the present or the future. He lives as if he is never going to die and then dies, having never really lived.”

Gene’s favorite biblical quote: I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Wife Kate: I met Gene in college. I actually saw him at a party a year before we started dating and thought – that’s the guy I want to know! A year later we started dating and after only 3 weeks, he wrote me a beautiful letter expressing his love and desire to spend the rest of his life with me! How cool was that! Of course, I felt the same way. We moved to Florida after graduation from ECU in January 1985 and found Treasure Island. No jobs, but with first and last month’s rent and landlords from our home state of NC, we rented their house on Sunset Beach. We had a few crazy jobs to make ends meet, Gene sold vacuums for a few days and I handed out prunes at the mall! We both loved our early years. We had very little money and our Friday nights were spent watching Miami Vice and drinking Old Milwaukie beer.

Two years later we married and bought a house two blocks south. Gene found a job in banking and I found a job as an Interior Designer / Project Manager. We started traveling most weekends, first visiting friends and once we started making money, we went on surfing vacations to Elbow Cay, Barbados, Costa Rica and Outer Banks. Then Gene took up beach volleyball and our weekends were spent going to tournaments. When volleyball ended, we went on catamaran sailing trips, more surfing trips and lots of concerts – Rolling Stones was his favorite band – we saw them six times.

Gene saw how the lack of exercise was destroying his dad’s physical and mental health and it scared him. So, he began “working out like a crazy person.” That decision, and a lifetime of vigorous exercise, prolonged Gene’s life. In 2009, he was experiencing back pain and went to the doctor. He was blindsided when he was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer. After a “thirty second pity party,” Gene resolved to beat cancer. His doctors told him that his excellent physical condition saved his life and expedited his recovery. In 2011, Gene founded Paddle Against Cancer and raised more than $300,000 for Moffitt.

Gene’s determination to raise funds to cure cancer brought him several accolades: he was part of Moffitt’s Community of Courage campaign and was featured in a TV commercial; 2016 he was awarded the Spirit of Philanthropy on National Philanthropy Day and the Inspire Award from Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce. He spent five years with Moffitt Pinellas Partners member and co-chair – he loved talking at the events. I know there’s more and I hope others will share in their comments - he was so much to so many!

In 2018, the cancer came back and slowly took its toll. Gene had several more surgeries, but the cancer gained strength and not even the toughest guy in the world could win, but I promise he really tried! Two weeks after his sixtieth birthday, his pain ended, and he was reunited with his parents and grandparents. My vision, is he’s walking, running, surfing and paddling his was thru heaven.

Gene’s oncologist told me that he won the battle, because he survived stage 4 renal cell cancer for eleven and a half years.

We shared 34 wonderful years of marriage. I will miss my soul mate every day!

Sister Lynn Phillips: My Brother, he was my biggest advocate and strongest protector. He was admired by all who met him. The BEACH will forever be my reminder of his endless love for family, friends and the many lives he touched with his selfless passion. Such love is never lost, only parted.

Godspeed Gene. Until we meet again. We will Stay Strong!

Uncle Weldon Evans: Gene and I share a brotherly bond that I will always carry in my heart. When we were young, we shared a love for everything from sports and my Dad’s cookouts to a lightning fast 1970 formula 400 Firebird. Growing up in an idyllic Mayberry-like existence, we both ventured out into the “real world” to find success. He found the love of his life, and he and Kate share the kind of love story that every couple wishes they could have. Gene was a true leader in every sense, in his profession, his community and among his many friends. He led by example, doing what was right, not what was easy. When he developed cancer, his journey took a turn that was both heartbreaking and remarkable. He truly was an inspiration to everyone who knew him, especially to me and my wife Susan. He and Kate were the dynamic duo, fighting the evil disease at every turn. He was a consummate warrior and an eternal optimist. He shared his story to inspire others and raised money to save lives. We miss him greatly in so many ways. And we know he is in heaven now, running with the angels, surfing and paddling in the golden sun, and feeding the ponies PB&J sandwiches in God’s kitchen. We take joy knowing he is surrounded by our dear family who have already journeyed there. We know his Grandmother and Granddaddy welcomed him with open arms saying “Genie Boy, it’s so good to see you.”

In Laws Martha and Will Krauss: Caring, generous and fun are three words that defined our beloved son-in-law. His love of exercise, surfing and paddle boarding was translated into ways of helping by teaching others and charitable activities.

Sister-in-Law Marmie Ziglar: Extreme Gene is how we referred to him as he excelled in everything he did in his personal and professional life. His love of the water and helping others was inspired to raise funds toward curing cancer. Always encouraged others to maintain a daily fitness routine and loved to teach new workouts/creative ways to challenge your body.

Survivors include his wife, Katy Evans of Treasure Island; sister, Lynn Evans Phillips of Greensboro North Carolina; uncle and aunt-in-law, Weldon and Susan Evans of Hilton Head South Carolina and cousins, Aly and Natalie Evans of Georgia and Arizona; in-laws Martha and Will Krauss of Matthews North Carolina and brother in-law and sister in-law, Terry and Marmie Ziglar.