Joseph Roswell "Rocky" Evans, Sr., of Augusta, GA, loving husband of Judith Sutton Evans, entered into rest on Saturday, December 10, 2016. Rocky was born on December 16, 1949, in Albany, GA, to Grace Edwards Evans and William Eston Evans, Sr. He was 66 years old.
Rocky Evans loved the Lord, his family and friends, his country, and the great outdoors. Professionally, Rocky was fortunate enough to combine his passion for the outdoors with an entrepreneurial spirit as the co-founder of Quail Unlimited where he served as its Executive Director and President for 28 years. In addition, Rocky was a founding board member and President of the United Conservation Alliance, a board member of the Executive Committee of the Congressional Sportsman's Foundation, was named Outstanding Sportsman of the Year by Sports Afield Magazine in 1992, and served on the NRA's Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Committee. Rocky was a 1968 graduate of the Academy of Richmond County and attended the University of Georgia where he was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity. While honored by his professional accolades, his personal contribution in founding the Devereaux Hunting Club and The No-Name Social Club reflected the value he placed on surrounding himself with lifelong friends who shared a mutual appreciation for camaraderie and fellowship. A lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Augusta, GA, he proudly served as President of the Cason Bruker Bible Class.
Rocky was preceded in death by his parents, Grace E. Evans and William E. Evans, Sr. In addition to his wife, survivors include one son, Joseph Roswell "Ross" Evans, Jr., his wife Margaret Gay Evans, and their daughter Margaret Grace "Maggie" Evans, Chattanooga, TN, and one daughter, Madeline Evans Sellers, and her husband, Charles Adam Sellers, Augusta, GA. Additional survivors include his brother, William E. Evans, Jr. (Peggy) of Alpharetta, GA, sister-in-law, Catherine S. Zimmerman, Augusta, GA, brother-in-law, Al Sutton, Jr. (Jan), Augusta, GA; Beloved cousins: L. Bridges Evans, Jr. (Elaine), Stockbridge, GA, Sally E. Castengara (Phillip), Daniel Island, SC, Nick W. Evans (Beth), Augusta, GA, Laura E. Moody, Augusta, GA, Carol Evans-Mitchell (Billy), Daniel Island, SC, Peggy E. Daniel (Emmett), Belleville, GA, Dr. A. Joseph Edwards, Jr. (Madge), Savannah, GA, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends, that he loved very much.
An avid sportsman, some of the happiest times of Rocky's life were spent on a dove field or quail hunt with his children, closest friends, and his beloved dog, Dave. Rocky was given many great gifts from God. He was always the happiest man in the room and the person with the greatest sense of humor. Surely it can be said about "Pops," as his children affectionately called him, he fought a great fight, he kept the faith, and he finished the course uplifting his family and friends until his last breath.
Honorary pallbearers will be Nick W. Evans, Al Sutton, Jr., Charles A. Sellers, Keith S. Henry, Louis C. Harris, Jr., J. Maxwell Vallotton, Sr., James, B. Wall, the members of the Devereaux Hunting Club, the No-Name Social Club and the Cason Bruker Bible Class.
The memorial service will be held at the Storey Chapel of First Baptist Church of Augusta, on Friday, December 16, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., with Dr. Rodger Murchison officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
A special note of appreciation to each and every healthcare professional who facilitated Rocky's care throughout the many challenges he faced and provided comfort to his loving family. Rocky requested in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Augusta Warrior Project and the First Baptist Church of Augusta.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com