James Richard “Rick” Evans, 70, of Irwin County, Georgia, died Saturday, March 13, 2021, at his home in the presence of his wife and children.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Ocilla, with the Rev. Steve Hand officiating. Interment will be private. The family will greet friends at the residence following the service on Tuesday.
Mr. Evans was born December 14, 1950, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to the late James Edward “Junie” Evans, Jr, and the late Bobbie Pearl Dixon Evans McCrimmon. He married his high school sweetheart on October 9, 1971. He served his country honorably in the United States Navy, being stationed at Ellyson Field at Pensacola, Florida. Mr. Evans worked in aviation mechanics and was responsible for electrical systems on-board helicopters. Following his military service, he returned home and began his career in the mid-1970s as owner of Rick’s Repair Service in his backyard. He would later purchase a plot of land in Mystic and move his business to that location, later becoming Rick’s Marine, where he specialized in small engines. He would own and operate his business for over 40 years. Mr. Evans had a passion for racing, everything from lawnmowers to go-carts to tractors. He loved to build and race drag boats, the faster the better. One of his project boats won the World Championship Drag Boat Race in Jasper, Tennessee. He taught electronics for Ben Hill-Irwin Tech and was an avid hunter. He enjoyed preparing his land for his children and grandchildren to hunt. Mr. Evans was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Outboard Drag Boat Association and the American Power Boat Association. He completed one of his bucket-list items as a cancer survivor, in 2019. Rick & DeeDee, along with two other couples, trekked across the United States on their Harleys, making sure to visit Sturgis and the famous Black Hills. They traveled all the way to the west coast on their month-long excursion.
He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, DeeDee Powell Evans of Irwin County; son, Jamie & Pam Evans of Irwin County; daughter, Jodi & Chase Lott of Tifton; grandchildren: Jaelyn Evans, Kelsey Evans, and Bowen Lott; brother, Sam & Carmen Evans of Irwin County; sister-in-law, Marla Evans of Irwin County; and a brother-in-law, Steve & Kim Powell of Lowndes County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Stanley Evans.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the Cancer Coalition of Ben Hill & Irwin Counties, c/o Kelli Nelms, P.O. Box 1029, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to Hospice-Tift Area, 618 North Central Avenue, Tifton GA 31794.