James Lewis Evans, Jr., born December 9, 1940, to James Lewis Evans Sr. and Johnnie Odell Horton Evans, lived a big, full life and truly never met a stranger. He loved people, made friends wherever he went, and had a way of making everyone feel welcome.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Peggy Joyce Johnson Evans; parents; brother, Bill Evans; son, Jeffery Alan Evans; son-in-law, Charlie Huff; great-grandsons, Aden and Aubrey Taylor; and dear friends Charlie Cox, Fred West, Tim Baker, Elvis McCollum, and Tommy Murphy.

He is survived by his children, Jimbo Evans, Jada Huff, and Joy (Kristi) Evans; grandchildren, Nikki (Kevin) Taylor, Jimmy (Christina) Evans, Felicia DeBord, Nathan (Kelli) Meeks, and Kaleigh Huff; and great-grandchildren, Evan (Jordan) Taylor, Lewis Evans, Carson Evans, Brooklyn DeBord, Lexi DeBord, Liam DeBord, Emersyn DeBord, Tucker Young, and Sawyer Meeks.

James and Peggy loved entertaining, traveling, attending social events, and enjoying life together. They spent many months in Mexico and made treasured memories at their family cabin on Greers Ferry Lake, deer camp in Monticello, and fishing on Pepper's Eddy.

He took great pride in his career as an Engineer for Union Pacific Railroad, where he made lifelong friends and collected countless stories. Above all, his greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted husband and father and an especially proud grandfather and great-grandfather. He was also blessed with many lifelong friends who became family.

James lived fully, loved deeply, and brought friendship and laughter wherever he went. He leaves behind a lifetime of stories and a family—by blood and by choice—who will forever carry his love, laughter, and larger-than-life spirit with them.

His family would like to thank Whitney Reed, Ashley Jones, Dr. Yarlagadda and his team at CARTI, Dr. Parnell and his care team at Baptist Hospital, LifeTouch Health nurses and staff, and longtime family friend, Summer Wysong, for the wonderful care they took of him these past 18 months.

There will be a funeral service at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at Concord United Methodist Church, 150 Concord Church Road, Lonoke, Arkansas, with burial to follow at Concord Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home, 1504 N JP Wright Loop Road, Jacksonville, Arkansas.