John Earl Evans, 82 of Ballard County, Kentucky passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024 at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Kentucky after a few months of difficult health issues.
John Earl was born on June 3, 1941 to Earl and LaWanda Evans in his beloved town of Barlow, Kentucky. He has an older sister, Ellen Evans Noth of Wheaton, Illinois. He grew up in Barlow hunting, fishing, playing baseball and basketball. He only left for college and a few years in Florida for his first teaching job.
John Earl met his wife Rebecca Ann Hicks of West Lake, Louisiana, while teaching in Belle Glade, Florida. They moved backed to Barlow in 1969 with their daughter Kelly. They built a house in LaCenter (during the process John fell off the scaffold and broke both his legs) that they called home for almost 50 years and if you were around when it was built you knew it as "the house with the double red doors". Kelly and Luke both grew up there and it is now Luke's family home.
His passion for hunting and fishing are well known. His favorite place in the world was Axe Lake where he served over 40 years as President. He looked forward to duck season every year but didn't miss a season of deer, quail or turkey if he could help it. The hundreds of fish fries he oversaw, the endless crappies he filleted (but he preferred them whole) and the stories he told while doing it, were enjoyed by so many.
When mentioning passions, his love for UK basketball was one of them too. He attended several games at Rupp Arena and a favorite memory was going to see the 1978 championship team play at LSU. There was a caravan of Ballard County fans that drove down to see Kyle Macy play.
What John Earl was most famous for was his love of guitars and singing. He had a few bands over the years; Soul of Country, Flip and the Flippers, The Little Band and Backwater. It's hard to find someone that hasn't heard him sing around Ballard County. His biggest fans were at the Senior Citizen Center for their dances. He was an ENTERTAINER, loved to make people laugh and was always willing to bring his guitar along to any gathering he was invited. One of his favorite places to sing was at the Baptist Church of Barlow, his lifelong church home and his favorite person to sing with was Peggy Meredith.
His legacy, love and hard work for the community he lived in will be remembered.
John Earl attended Barlow Elementary School and graduated from Ballard Memorial in the class of 1959. He received his BS degree from Murray State in 1964 with a major in biology and math and received his M.A. in School Administration from MSU in 1967; and later achieved Rank I in School Administration from MSU with Life Certificate.
John Earl was Principal of Bandana, Barlow, Kevil and LaCenter Elementary Schools 1969-1974. He became Director of Pupil Personal 1974-1991, Assistant Superintendent 1989-1991 and Superintendent in 1991-1997 for Ballard County Schools. He retired in 1997 but continued as a consultant for Title 1 for a few more years.
He had a long list of professional special recognitions over the years: President of West Kentucky Association of School Administrators, President of West Kentucky Directors of Pupil Personnel, Advisor to Governor's Economic Development Commission, Member of the Kentucky Crime Commission, Adjunct Professor at MSU, Southern Association Evaluation Teams, K.A.S.A. Legislative committee. He received special recognition by receiving the K.A.S.A Leadership award in 1980.
Along with his professional accomplishments, he was very active in the community: Ballard County Khoury League Board/Coach, Charter Member of Ballard County Lions Club, President Ballard County Country Club, President of Axe Lake Hunting and Fishing Club, founding board member of Ballard County Industrial & Economical Council, Four River Counties Development Board, founding member of Ballard Bottom Tourism Council, served on the Ballard County Election Board for almost 40 years.
Proceeded in death by his wife Rebecca Evans, his father Earl Evans, his mother LaWanda Evans, his grandparents George and Speedy Williamson, and his grandson, Tanner Spalding.
Survived by his daughter Kelly Evans Spalding (Corey) his grandchildren Jacob Spalding and Audrey Spalding, his son Luke Evans (Megan) grandchildren Brandon Evans, Makinley Evans, Colt Evans and his sister Ellen Evans Noth.
Visitation will be at Morrow Funeral Chapel on Monday, May 20, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Funeral service will be at the Barlow Baptist Church on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 11:00 am with Rev. Scott Fickes officiating.
Graveside service will follow at Barlow Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations made in his memory to the Ballard County Senior Center.
