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Celebration Of Life Set Saturday For Jack ''Corky'' Evans, Jr.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday for Jack “Corky” Wilson Evans, Jr.

© Courtesy Evans Family
Celebration Of Life Set Saturday For Jack ''Corky'' Evans, Jr.

CELINA, TX–MARCH 23, 2023–A celebration of life will be held Saturday for Jack “Corky” Wilson Evans, Jr. of Celina, Texas.  The services will be conducted at the 2 p.m. (CDT) at the Waterview Church of Christ on 1409 Waterview Drive, Richardson, Texas.

Friends are invited to Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013 at their convenience on Friday (March 24) to pay their respects and to sign the register book.

Jack “Corky” Wilson Evans, Jr. of Celina, Texas, passed away March 20, 2023, at the age of 79. He was born on April 29, 1943, to Jack Wilson Evans, Sr. and Imogene Sachse (Watson) Evans in Dallas, Texas.

Corky was a 1960 graduate of Richardson High School in Richardson, Texas. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and earned his Bachelors of Business Administration from North Texas State University now known as the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Corky married Mary Caldonia Hill on January 30, 1971, in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Corky started his grocery career as a young boy racking bottles in his father’s store, Evans Food Mart, in the Lakewood area of Dallas. After college, he worked his way up through various departments at Tom Thumb including store director, district manager, meat department buyer, and executive vice president. Corky would eventually retire as President of Tom Thumb in 1994 after 25 plus years of dedicated service.

Corky’s love for horses was ignited as a little boy by the gift of a stick horse made for him by his grandmother. He soon graduated to showing Shetland ponies and then to operating a pony ride business at Medallion Center.

Corky grew into an avid horseman raising, breeding, and racing Quarter Horses. He had qualifiers for the All-American Futurity-G1, won the Ruidoso Futurity-G1 with Red Clay Of Texas in 2001, received a Speedhorse Broodmare Award, as well as several AQHA First Graded Stakes Victory plaques as a breeder. He was part of the original shareholders in leading sire Mr Jess Perry.

A champion for his community, Corky participated in a myriad of activities including service in the Army National Guard Reserves where he was stationed at the Nike Missile Base in Denton, Texas, after completing basic training at Fort Hood.

He was a longtime friend and supporter of the FFA, co-chaired the Allen Library Campaign, and served on the State Fair of Texas Board of Directors as well as the Grand Bank Board of Directors.

He especially loved making appearances at Mary Evans Elementary where the cafeteria and school mascot were named in his honor. Perhaps one of his most meaningful acts of service was the creation and ongoing funding of the “Mary Evans Top Ten Luncheon” honoring the top ten graduates of Allen High School now in its 28th year.

Corky most loved spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren’s many activities. From enjoying Sunday brunches with Evan, to attending horse sales with Sydney Callan, and checking cattle with Cash, he had a unique way of making each feel special and celebrated.

He was a lifelong follower of Jesus and a devoted, active member of Waterview Church of Christ in Richardson, Texas. Corky was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be missed dearly by the many who knew and loved him.

Corky is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Mary Evans of Celina, Texas; daughter, Abby Ray (Craig) of Argyle, Texas; grandchildren, Taylor Evan Ray, Sydney Callan Ray, and Archer Cash Ray; brothers, Roy Gene Evans (Pame) and H. Craig Evans (Janet) both of Dallas, Texas; special aunt, Janice Cullum, also of Dallas, Texas; several nieces, nephews, other loving family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack, Sr. and Imogene Evans.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Oglesby Foundation in care of Waterview Church of Christ, 1409 North Waterview Drive, Richardson, Texas 75080 or to the Mary Evans Library Fund in care of Mary Evans Elementary, 1225 Walnut Springs Drive, Allen, Texas 75013.