Louie Evans

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Louis “Louie” Allen Evans, age 77, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday afternoon, September 14, 2022.

Louie was born on July 27, 1945, in Joplin, to George Edward Evans, Sr., and Louise Evans, both of whom preceded him in death. He was the youngest of four brothers, George Edward, Jr., who passed away in 2008, and Don and Chuck, who survive him. His only sister, Susie, passed away in 2009.

A veteran who served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, Louie left the service in May of 1966. Soon after that, he first met, as he recently described her, “the love of his life,” Mary Sue Gregory, who survives him. The inseparable couple would have been married 57 years in November. The two were utterly devoted to each other and to their family, spending countless days and nights at their baseball, softball, and volleyball games, and having fun and making many memories at the family’s old place off North Main, including bonfires, swim parties, fishing in the pond, riding minibikes and go-karts, and playing plenty of sand volleyball.

Louie is also survived by his two daughters, Becky Renee Graham (Randy) and Teresa Kay Housley (Brett), as well as two grandsons, R.J. and Brett Graham (Ashley), and two granddaughters, Brooklynn and Emma Divine, and a step-granddaughter, Brandi Smith. Louie is also blessed to be survived by a great-grandson, Rowdy Mahan, and a step-great-granddaughter, Olivia Smith. He has a new great-granddaughter on the way, due in January, Lorelei Nicole Graham. Among his many nieces and nephews who survive him, he was particularly close to Jamey and Jacob Bourassa.

Many knew him as “Louie the Car Man,” while he was selling cars at Roper for twenty-five years. Before that he worked at Vickers and served there as a union steward. He was a hunter and an avid fan of NASCAR, as well as a devoted Royals and Chiefs fan, even through all their losing years. 

Many people may have known him from his frequent trips to the casino to play poker, a game he studied and enjoyed, win or lose. He read books, loved to learn, and was unfailingly positive, partly due to his fondness for Norman Vincent Peale and other motivational writers. He had what seemed an endless curiosity about how the world works, and he wanted to do his best to understand it.

Louie recently wrote about his fifth-grade teacher, who he said taught him about the French microbiologist, Louis Pasteur, famous for many advances in the prevention of diseases, saving untold millions of lives. Perhaps that teacher sparked Louie’s interest in science and how it can benefit mankind. He became a beneficiary of such science by way of someone who chose to be an organ donor, and, of course, he made sure to return that favor by donating his own body for the benefit of others. In honor and memory of Louie, the family encourages everyone to consider becoming an organ donor.

The family also encourages all who can attend to come celebrate Louie’s life on Friday, September 23, from 5:30 to 7pm, at the home of Ellen and Jim Bourassa, 906 West 11th, Webb City. In 2019, Louie wrote down what he called, “things I remember from my youth,” that ended with, “Wow! What a life!” Come help the family mark the passing of that remarkable life, and please feel free to share your personal memories and anecdotes!