11/02/2025
James Gary Evans, 82 of Belle Glade, FL, passed away peacefully at JFK Hospital in Atlantis, FL on October 31, 2025, With his daughter Jennifer and son in law Jack by his bedside after a battle with heart disease.
GARY (as he was known to family and friends) was born in Moline, Illinois on March 16, 1943.
Gary lived in Silvis, IL as a young boy, and moved to Vero Beach, FL in his teens where he went to Vero Beach High School. He joined the US Army and served during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Belle Glade American Legion Post 20 for 50 years.
He worked for Sears and Roebuck as a Sales Manager in Belle Glade, FL. After retiring he also worked for Terminix pest control.
Gary loved to bowl, fish, watch football and enjoyed entertaining his family with his trumpet, piano and accordion playing. He was a talented Schach artist that left behind many examples of his work.
He also enjoyed shooting pool for many years. In his later years he enjoyed playing Mexican bingo at his local American legion with all of his legion family.
He is the son of a loving mother, Delores H. Evans, and father, Harry S. Evans, who both passed away in 2010.
He is survived by daughters: Jennifer (Jack) Ealy and Angie (Bart) Nicely. 6 Grandchildren, Brandon Shackleford, Ashley Eslinger, Tyler Eslinger, Caylee (Lane) Bingham, Ashton Nicely and Tanner Ricker. 6 Great Grandchildren, Makynlee Stroud, Grayson Stroud Tegan Shackleford, Abigail Vaughn, Benson Shackerford and Sawyer Vaughn all of whom are living in Tennessee, and a younger sister, Charlene (Berry) Hodgin who also lives in Tennessee and a Nephew Gage Hodgin.
He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was a man of few words but loved his family and friends dearly.
Gary and the family determined he would be cremated, and a Memorial is planned by his daughters that will take place In Maryville, Tennessee at a later date. There will also be a celebration of life at the American Legion Post 20 in Belle Glade, FL date to be announced.
The family would like to express great gratitude to Glades Funeral Chapel. A special thank you to Jarrod White who always kept us updated on our precious dad, and the entire American Legion family that our dad loved dearly. 🕊️