Terry Evans

Terry M. Evans, 81, of Clarion, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at his winter home in Chandler, Arizona surrounded by his wife, daughters, and a granddaughter.

A private family ceremony and burial will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. A Celebration of Life will be held in the future when it is safe for family and friends to gather.

Terry was born August 10, 1939 in Clarion to Clifton M. and Mabel Elizabeth (Lieuwen) Evans. He graduated from Clarion High School in 1957 and attended Morningside College for two years, then transferred to the University of Iowa where he graduated in 1961. While at the University of Iowa, in 1960, he was the 177lb. wrestling intramural champion. After graduation he returned to join his father and Robert Kay in the lumber and construction business. He married Sharon Rae Hilpipre on April 28, 1962.

Terry was proud of the fact that he was involved in seven housing additions in Clarion. He also built seventeen nursing homes throughout Iowa. He supervised the construction of 469 homes of which 90% he designed to build. He hired numerous high school and college students and taught them building and construction skills, many he thought of as sons he never had. Terry was president and board member of the Clarion Jaycees and at one time received the Distinguished Service Award. He served as president and board member of the Clarion Development Commission. He was a long-time member of the Clarion Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow. During his career, he was President and Board member of the Iowa Lumbermen’s Association and was a board member of the Northwestern Lumbermen's Association. Terry and Sharon were co-founders of the Iowa Coca-Cola Clan.

Terry’s father taught him the importance of a strong work ethic from an early age. He knew nothing but hard work. Much to his family’s surprise, he retired. He spent retirement playing golf either at Clarmond Country Club or Springfield in Arizona. He cherished the early mornings on the course as well as the friendships he made with his fellow golfers. When not playing golf you could find him in his workshop ‘making sawdust’, which was the result of him crafting many woodworking projects or turning segmented bowls. He was eager to fulfill any special project order requested by his family or friends. Terry enjoyed his Corvette and making sure the engine worked as advertised on rural Wright County roads. He belonged to the Cyclone Corvette Club and annually participated in the Iowa Speedway Corvette Drive. One of his favorite experiences was attending the Ron Fellows Corvette Driving School in Nevada with his brother. Terry and Sharon enjoyed travelling together as well.

Terry was a reserved, caring, generous, and thrifty man. Education was important to him and he encouraged and supported his children and grandchildren’s endeavors. The Hawkeyes, Fox News, and Sharon’s cooking (especially desserts, chocolate, and tea-rings) were his favorites.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, mother and father in-law, and brother in-law. He is survived by his wife, Sharon. His daughters Susie Meade, PhD (Rob) of Winterset, Iowa and Diahann Russell (Mark) of Whitefish, Montana. Grandchildren Mackenzie Meade, PharmD (Stevens Point, Wisconsin), Taylor Russell (Missoula, Montana), and Ryan Russell (United States Army). His brother William, JurisD (Pat) Evans of Costa Mesa, California; sister Kathy Sehnert of Mancos, Colorado; and his brother and sister in-law Harvey and Karen Hilpipre of Fort Dodge, Iowa.

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