J. D. 'Jake' J Evans Obituary (1942

J.D. (Jake) Evans 78, quietly passed away on February 14, 2021 after surviving many years with heart disease and Parkinsons. He was born March 4, 1942 in Dallas Texas to Ruby (Sewell) and JD Evans Sr. He attended school in Dallas and served four years in the US Navy on the flight deck of the USS Ranger an Aircraft Carrier in the Pacific Fleet. JD started out his long carrier in police work as a patrol officer in Shelton WA on August 1, 1968. He then served in various capacities and ranks at Lacey WA and in Thurston County including Under Sheriff. He received a BA in community services at St. Martins College in 1974, and his MPA at Pacific Lutheran University in 1979. He graduated from the FBI Academy in 1982 and from LEEDS in 1992. He was appointed Police Chief at the City of Auburn WA on May 6, 1985 and served there for nine years. When Chief Evans arrived in Auburn, he quickly advanced the department in several areas that included an updated records management system, and an officer awards program. In 1988, the department was one of the first agencies to become State Accredited meeting over 220 mandatory standards as well as creating and maintaining a written policy manual. Finally, the implementation of the DARE program at Auburn Police Department that lasted over 20 years. On his watch Auburn had the famous Excedrin tampering case that put his face in the national news for weeks and changed all packaging for store shelf drugs. After retiring from Auburn in 1994, JD spent many years working as an interim chief around the state of WA. He was known by his peers for following the rules, his honesty, love for his profession, quirky sense of humor, and his strong beliefs. He was a certified single and multi-engine pilot with an instrument ticket as well as several different hobby aircrafts certifications. He was a Certified scuba diver; licensed HAM radio operator (he passed while working on his HAM radio); Gun collector; RV owner (at least 10), and a Harley owner. He loved his two trips to Europe where he found his Welsh and English roots. He was a past coach of the Washington State Special Olympics. He obtained his Ham radio license in high school and stayed on the radio until his passing with membership in both the Ellensburg and Cle Elum Ham radio clubs. He met and married his wife Rebecca (Becky) Oakman June 1964 in Oakland California. They were married for 42 years. They had three children Michael (Kelley) Belfair WA, Linda Smith (David) Bothell WA, Charles (Amy) Lacey WA. He married his second wife Sharon Huppert Holman in 2007. They retired to Ellensburg WA in 2010 where they resided on Reecer Creek Road. He is survived by his wife Sharon, his Brother Jerry Wayne, his three children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild as well as many nieces, nephews, and 3 stepchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Becky, his parents Ruby Ward and JD Evans Sr. his stepfather Emmett Ward and his sister Linda June Ward. Per JDs request there will be no services. A memory plaque was placed next to his wife Beckie in the memorial garden at St Peters Hospital in Lacey WA. Donations can be made to a Police charity of your choice, the American Heart Association, the Parkinsons Disease Foundation, or the Washington Special Olympics program. No Flowers Please. Thank you, JD, for your lifetime of service.