Raymond Charles Evans

Raymond was born on October 25, 1932 in Rio Dell, California, the ninth of ten living children born to Wesley and Blanche Evans (née Pullen). He spent his early years in Northern California, working as a redwood logger and heavy equipment operator, as well as ranching the old homeplace at Larabee, California. He was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War and served in England refurbishing weapons for the front. After losing much of his property in the 1964 Eel river flood, he married Emma Joy (née Koepke) in 1966 and together with her three sons James, Jon and Jeff Colt moved to Washington, where he lived in Olympia, Washington and ran his own landscaping business and plant nursery until retirement. He also worked several seasons on the Alaska pipeline as a land reclamation foreman.

Raymond is survived by; James Colt (wife Marsh Colt, and children Jonathan Colt and Summer Colt), Jeff Colt (wife Charlie Washburn, and children Jasper Colt and Sarah Colt), Jon Colt (passed away 2019, his children Joshua Swanson, Carly Gutierrez and Cody Colt), Kathryn Campbell (husband Kevin Campbell and children Kaelin Fleming, Cassidy Crawford and Grant Campbell), and Susan Mountin (husband Todd Mountin and children Charles Babl, Ryan Babl, Mauer Mountin and George Mountin) as well as many great-grandchildren.

A beloved friend to many, Raymond was always there to lend a helping hand to all, from landscaping and irrigation projects to welding and mechanical restorations. He was a talented welded-metal artist, and his whimsical creations adorn many yards. He loved to read and learn about science, geography and history. He could outwork anyone for strength, endurance and stamina and was a loyal husband and fierce provider for his family. He wrote many books and his stories will ring out through the years. In Ray’s own words:

The Last Goodbye of Raymond C. Evans

This letter is to let you know that I passed away on May 15, 2025. This is the last chapter of my lifelong story, written by me. As I sit here today in great appreciation of all of you who have crossed my path, I say “thank you” for all your kindness and understanding and I apologize to those that I have offended in my long and active life. I was born on October 25, 1932 now a long, long time ago, back when “Fast Food was a Rabbit”. A lot of water has passed under the bridge in those many years (and sometimes over the bridge too). In all my many years of living I cannot remember ever writing a poem, please be understanding as I write below, my very first!

Goodbye

To all of those who knew me, to all of those who cared,

I write these words of gratitude for all the things we’ve shared.

My thoughts of those that took care of me a long, long time ago,

now gone to the other side, “Thanks”, I wish I had told them so.

My bride, my Joy, who rescued me so many years way back when,

She has given me her love and loyalty, over and over again.

She married me, she shared with me her heart

All the years I knew her, I knew someday we would have to part.

I’ll see her again on the other side, shed no tears for me.

I’ve had a truly happy life, more than I thought could ever be.

This is my first poem, written not long before I died.

I’ll never be a poet, for sure, but at least you know I tried.

Goodbye and may God bless you all!

Funeral Service to be held at Hope Community Church, Olympia Washington on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 1:30 pm.

Internment of ashes will take place at Forest Grove Cemetery, Tenino, Washington.