John “Jack” Franklin Evans
1949 – 2026

Jack passed away on July 23, 2026, at the Rimbey Long Term Care Centre. He was 77 years old.

Jack (called Little Jackie by his family) was born Jan. 15, 1949, in Leduc, Alta. From there the family moved to Calgary, Alta. Jack grew up in Calgary playing many sports and was a star at all of them. He played high school football for the St. Francis Browns as a running back, winning rushing titles, touchdown titles and championships, then went on to play for the Calgary Colts and the Calgary Dinos. He played high level baseball in Calgary and was a hockey star in Calgary eventually playing Jr. A for the Calgary Buffaloes.

When asked what the hardest sport he played was, he would reply, “I went to hockey practice to recover from football.”

Jack married Kathy in 1976, and they decided they wanted to leave the city life and settle in the Arbutus area in 1979. Jack worked for Case and George’s Farm Center, selling tractors in the early ’80s (he absolutely loved this) but spent most of his career working for ATCO Gas. Jack loved his career at ATCO Gas and always told great stories of his adventures of meter reading (how to avoid/ escape dogs in people’s yards).

Jack’s true passion was looking after all his children and grandchildren. Many evenings were spent coaching fastball at the Arbutus ball diamond or coaching hockey in Caroline and Rocky, driving kids to and from their activities in the Rocky/Innisfail area, or just generally helping his children out with whatever they needed.

Jack was raised Catholic through his life and after a stint at one of the protestant churches in Rocky he was relieved to go back to Catholic Mass quoting “you’re in and out of there in under 45 minutes.”

Jack also loved hunting, especially pheasant hunting down south in the Brooks area. The annual hunting trip with Leif, Tim and friends was a tradition. The excitement he got from a pheasant flushing in front of him was a site to behold.

Jack and family moved to Innisfail in the mid ’90s where they lived for several years before moving back to Rocky.
Jack was truly one of a kind. There are two amazing qualities that Jack had through his life. First, is absolute unconditional love he had for his wife and children. Second, is the strength to keep moving forward after horrific tragedy strikes. He would always quote “when the going gets tough the tough get going.” If anyone knows Jack’s story, they will know this to be an understatement.

Jack is survived by his wife Kathy; his sons: Leif (Janice), Kevin (Shyanne), August and James; his daughters: Crystal (Marvin) and Tara; his sisters: Vernette (Dick) and Deanna; his brother Tim (Debbie); and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He loved them all so much.

He is predeceased by his parents (Jack and Evelyn), his sons Sean and Chris, and his daughter Mandy.
A casual celebration of life will be held at Crystal’s place near Innisfail. 28502 Twp 351 Red Deer County on Saturday Aug. 1 starting at 1 p.m.

A very special thanks to the staff at Rimbey Long Term Care. There are some angels on the staff/volunteer staff there. Your caregiving and kindness will never be forgotten.