James Evans

James Ellis Evans has entered into the kingdom of heaven. He was 80 years young. Jim was born on October 24, 1939 in Artesia, New Mexico the son of George Washington Evans and his wife Ada Eilene Wilbanks Evans. Raised in Texas, he received his education at Big Springs Schools, graduating in the spring of 1958. After high school, Jim earned his Bachelor’s degree from Texas Western College, now known as the University of Texas El Paso. In college he excelled in basketball and football. He went on to be drafted into the NFL in the 4th round in 1964 by the Dallas Cowboys. It was in Dallas that he met the love of his life, Carey Bucholz. She had taken a summer job in Dallas as a clerk. The story goes, Koke and her friends met up with three football players who were homesick. The boys asked if they bought the food would the girls cook them dinner. The girls fell for it. That night Jim was quick to ask Koke out for a date. Soon after, he was traded to New York to play for the Jets and he flew Koke out to New York City and they were married on November 28, 1964. They remained happily married for 55 years. Jim ended his NFL career playing for the Buffalo Bills before working at the El Paso Times newspaper. Jim had a long fulfilling career with the paper and was very successful. In 1981, they moved to Billings, OK where they ran Koke's Cafe & Bar. Jim went on to work for Rush Metals in 1988 and retired after 20 plus years. A great spoiler of grandchildren, Papa Jim never missed a sporting event if it could be helped. He was a good golfer and liked camping. His favorite hobby was just spending time with the grandkids, the light of his life. He loved the lord and passed that love down to his family. Jim served at the First Baptist Church of Billings as a deacon for decades. Jim was blessed, he had a life full of love and happiness. He was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Carey of the home, son Bart Evans and his wife Toni of Wichita, KS, Daughter Sherri Sharp and her husband Daron of Calera, OK, son Clinton Evans and his wife Candy of Garber, OK, Son Brandon Evans and his wife Cat of Billings, OK, nine grandchildren: Kacie Hoffman and her husband Ryan of Wichita, KS, Laine Evans of Wichita, KS, Holly James and her husband Jesse of Ada, OK, Boston Sharp of Fayetteville, AR, Makenzie Mccutchen and her husband Sean of Fayetteville, AR, Shaylon Sharp of Calera, OK, Diamond Pierce and her husband Shelton of Billings, OK, Jordan Evans of Billings, OK, and Caidon Evans of California. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren : Austen Hoffman, Rylee Hoffman, Hannah Murphy, Cohyn James and Parker Mccutchen, two brothers: C.G. Evans and his wife Joyce of Big Spring, TX and Bob Evans and his wife Peggy of El Paso, TX as well as a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services under the direction of Dugger Funeral Home in Billings will be held at the Baptist Church in Billings starting at 1 p.m. following a noon meal for the family. Interment at Billings Union Cemetery will follow at approximately 2 p.m. Friends are welcome to stop by Dugger Funeral Home to sign the book and pay their respects on Friday July 24th from 9 am until 7 p.m. Family will be present to receive guests at a reception Friday from 5pm-7pm. Refreshments will be served.