Thomas Evans 1929-2021
Thomas Elwood “Poppy” Evans, 92, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at Midland Care Connection in Topeka.
Poppy was born March 30, 1929, in Bridgeport, Ohio, the son of Russell Glenn and Hazel Morris Evans. To this union five children were born: David John “DJ,” Betty, Poppy, Glenn and Gene.
Poppy was a devout Christian, belonging first to Community Baptist Church in Topeka early on his life and then converting to Catholicism later.
He married Virginia Lee Allen in 1950 in Topeka. To this union four children were born: Ginger Sue Lloyd (Phillip) and David Timothy Evans (Ellen), both of Holton, Carlene Diane Singh, Molalla, Ore., and John Russell Evans, San Jose, Calif.; there was also a stepson, Dan Sage, and an adopted daughter, Debbie Evans.
They divorced in 1965. Virginia then had three more children whom Poppy loved and adored as his own: Cynthia Kay Candreia, Sandra Cay Candreia-Luttrell (Eric) and Benjamin Allen Candreia, Modesto, Calif.
He was then married to Marilyn Sage for 27 years. They divorced.
Poppy was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, son Rusty, adopted daughter Debbie, Cynthia Kay, infant great-granddaughter Katherine Elise, great-grandson Adam Winnett and his lifelong best friend, Wayne Proctor.
He is survived by his two daughters Ginger and Carlene, son Tim, Sandra and Ben, grandchildren Lisa Elder (Matt), Becky Hegler (Tim), Kelly Farley (Curtis), David Bennett (Tammy), Justin Lloyd (Melissa), Erin Bowser (Craig), Heather Evans, Andrew Evans, Jacob Wenzloff, Jennifer Cline (Brett), Tonya Byrne (Gerry), Nicolas, Gavin and Emma Candreia, 36 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren, lifelong friend Beulah Proctor and dear friend Ron Klobnak.
Poppy’s first job as a young boy during the Depression was selling homemade crafts made by his father. After graduating from Lew Wallace High School in Gary, Ind., he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Forbes Field, Topeka, where he met Virginia on a blind date. He began working at Kansas Electric Supply and became lifelong best friends with co-worker Wayne Proctor and his wife Beulah.
Poppy was a sports fanatic and enjoyed many years of playing softball for city league teams until the age of 65. He also loved fishing, golf and basketball. He loved history and was a lively storyteller. Poppy possessed an incredible wit and talent with words and would often write poetry for family members on occasion, which are our greatest treasures. Poppy also loved music and dancing, often bursting into song and serenading anyone around him who would listen. He had a beautiful voice and excellent dance moves. He also thoroughly enjoyed trips to the casino with friends and loved ones.
In 1965 he relocated his family to Portland, Ore., and later the Bay Area in California. Poppy worked with various HVAC organizations as a chief estimator until he retired in the early 1990s. After retirement, he moved to Holton, where he could be most remembered as a Walmart greeter, a waiter at his daughter Carlene’s restaurant Cornerstone and assistant to Ron Klobnak at Adkins Insurance.
In his later years, Poppy was so fortunate to have a special friendship with Ron. Our family would like to personally acknowledge and thank Ron for always taking such good care of our Poppy. He cherished your friendship.
Poppy was cremated. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
