Obituary of Jan Marion Evans

Jan Marion Evans, a devoted husband to his late wife Carolyn, our dearly loved father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away September 9 at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga. Jan was truly an extraordinarily accomplished man professionally and personally. He was born Baltimore, MD. September 20, 1943 and raised on Signal Mountain TN. He was deeply rooted in his community. He attended Baylor, graduated from Chattanooga City High School then completed his undergraduate work at Duke in 1965, and will forever be a Blue Devil. Jan continued his pursuits for higher learning at UTC, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then earned a degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering from UTK after which he completed the MBA program at UTC and a Post-Masters in Industrial Engineering/Accounting. Jan was working toward his PhD in Manufacturing System Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville when he accepted a 3 year assignment working for the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Ethiopia. He served as Training and Manpower coordinator and was an active member of the Rotary Club of Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) during his time there. Jan was an extremely approachable, caring, giving person, and passionate educator with a quick wit and playful sense of humor. He was a favorite instructor to his Engineering students and was always willing to help others without question. Jan has been credited for being a part of the collaborative effort in the development of the Engineering Management Graduate Program at UTC. Many of the courses that Jan created over his 30+ year career are still integral to the Engineering & Management curriculums today. His broad knowledge and years of industry experience translated well in the classroom and were invaluable to his undergraduate and graduate students. Jan held various Engineering and Management positions at Wrigley Manufacturing, Plantation Products Inc. Modern Maid/McGraw-Edison Company and others. He served as President of Manitec International Inc, was a Principal at Management & Industrial Technology Associates and was a Partner at A&E Development Co. Jan was a true Engineering and Management professional with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Jan and Carolyn opened their hearts and homes to multiple International students and their families throughout their lives. Jan loved working with young people. He served as Lay Reader at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, led the EYC (church youth group) and served as President of the Episcopal Churchmen of Tennessee. At the time of his death he was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Jan was an active and cherished member of the Chattanooga Breakfast Rotary Club where he had served on the Board of Directors and as the Club Foundation Chair. He was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a member of the Paul Harris Society. Jan took an active role in numerous Rotary events and projects including the Rivermont Carnival, the 4-Way Test Dictionary Project in local elementary schools along with his beloved late wife, Carolyn and was on the Signal Mountain Centennial Committee. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Lee and Erlyne “Spot” Evans of Signal Mountain and his beloved wife of 54 years, Carolyn Evans. He is survived by his two daughters, Elizabeth Evans and Patricia Miller, grandsons Jeffery, Tyler and A.J, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Thomas and Kay Hays of Knoxville. Jan will long be remembered for his gifted mind, his giving nature, the contributions he made to his profession and his community, and the positive impact that he made in so many people’s lives. He will be forever in our hearts. A Celebration of both Jan and Carolyn’s Lives will be held at a later date when it is possible to gather together to joyously remember their caring and loving spirits. The family requests that friends and family consider donations to the Chattanooga Breakfast Rotary Service Fund, P.O. Box 4065 Chattanooga, TN. 37405 Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home and Cremation Center (423)821-7551. Please share your memories, stories and photos at www.wannfuneralhome.com