John William Evans, of Red Wing, MN (formerly of Iowa City, IA), was surrounded by his wife and sons when he died on June 22, 2025, at the age of 83.

John was born on April 1, 1942, in Pomona, CA. His father, William Glenn "Tex" Evans, was a prominent Methodist preacher, and his mother, Mary Ellen, was often the church organist.  He was literally raised in the Methodist Church, which is where his lifelong faith and love of music was formed.  Many of his early years were spent with his family traveling between missionary assignments across California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas and Kentucky.

John felt called to teach professionally when he was 15 years old while attending boarding school in Berea, KY. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Education Degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He went on to earn a Master's Degree in Education from Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa. He taught Math and Computer Sciences for more than 35 years, most of it in the Iowa City School district at Central Junior High and City High School. Teaching was a rewarding career which allowed him to share his love of equations and problem solving with generations of students.

John loved traveling and exploring nature.  An annual road trip with family was something he enjoyed planning, and adventures in national and state parks were of particular delight. Time spent outdoors walking or hiking was important to him as a way of celebrating the beauty of creation.

Faith and the Methodist Church were central to John's entire life. He possessed a deep love of a wide range of music, and he especially enjoyed great hymns of faith. He was a member of the Coralville United Methodist Church for more than fifty years, where he served in numerous leadership roles.  He also served a vital role in helping his father launch the Appalachia Service Project, which has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the nation.  Donations to Appalachia Service Project, 4523 Bristol Highway, Johnson City, TN 37601, in honor of John are preferred in lieu of flowers.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Glenn "Tex" and Mary Ellen, sister Harriett, and his brother James. John is survived by his adored wife of 59 years, Wanda, two sons, William and Michael, daughter-in-law, Sarah, grandchildren Rhys, Xander and Pippa, sister Betty and her husband, Michael, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The Celebration of Life is scheduled at 11:00am, June 26th at United Lutheran Church in Red Wing, MN with a visitation an hour before the Celebration.