Roll Call Tribute

Thomas Ronald "Ron" Evans 

November 7, 1943 - September 24, 2024 

Thomas Ronald "Ron" Evans left this earth on September 24, 2024 after a long and valiant battle with cancer.

Ron was born in Houston, Texas on November 7, 1943 to Tommy Robert Evans and Josephine Paratore Evans.

Ron had very fond memories of spending his summers with his grandparents who spoke Italian. He, however, never learned Italian because his grandparents believed that to grow up in America, you needed to speak English.

Ron graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1961. He attended the University of Houston while working at Methodist Hospital as an orderly on the night shift.

He joined the Naval Reserves and was called to active duty in 1965 during the Vietnam War. He was aboard the landing boat dock, Lindenwald, where he performed the job of First Leutenant's Yoeman. The Lindenwald was eventually decomissioned in 1967. He was then sent aboard the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La as an E4 were Ron was the Chaplain's Yoemen.

After being honorably discharged from active duty, he returned to the University of Houston and completed his degree in Biochemistry. After graduation he became a drug representitive for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. During this time, Ron recieved his pilot's license with an instrument rating. He retained this love of aircraft for the rest of his life. He also enjoyed stamp collecting, and was an avid bowler among many other hobbies. After leaving Pfizer, Ron went to work as an insurance agent.

In 1978, Ron married the love of his life, Gail Clements Evans. Anyone who knew Ron will find it comical to know that the family joke was that Gail's father promised to give Ron his very first computer, a Commodore, after they were married. Ron and Gail moved to Milano in 1981. Ron was a long term substitute teacher at Rockdale ISD as a shop teacher. He worked for Milano ISD as a chemistry teacher, building trades teacher, and later in technology. In 1983, Ron enrolled at Texas A&M University, and in 1985 earned his second degree in educational technology.

Ron had an incredible wealth of skills. He worked as a plumber, electrician, and carpenter. He also enjoyed wood working. With theses skills he built the majority of their beautiful vacation home in Ruidoso, New Mexico, where the family enjoyed spending time together.

In 1986, his focus started shifting from education to computer programming. He wrote computer software for cotton gins, school attendance, special services, and county tax offices throughout the state of Texas. He even taught adult computer classes in the 1980s.

After retiring from education, he began to repair and recycle computers. It is a well known fact that Ron would frequently donate computers to high school graduates, and others in need.

Ron is survived by his wife, Gail, of 45 years, son Daniel and his wife Lisa, and grandson Jackson. He is also survived by son Joseph and his wife Tiffany, along with numerous cousins, and brothers and sisters in law.

He was preceded in death by his parents Josephine and Tommy, and his younger sister Pamela Ann.

Ron was greatly loved and will be sorely missed by family and friends alike.

Services in the care of Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home.