RACINE – Known professionally for his outstanding coaching career and personally for his positive outlook and unwavering encouragement of family and friends, Owen Pierce Evans, 90, passed away on March 12, 2018, surrounded by his loving family at Primrose Retirement Community in Mount Pleasant.

Owen was born in Racine on June 30, 1927, son of William C. Evans and Anne (Nan) (nee: Williams) Evans. On June 20, 1953, he married Phyllis Maureen Melby in La Crosse. Owen was a 1945 graduate of Washington Park High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Physical Education from La Crosse State Teachers College and a master's degree in Education from the University of Minnesota. He also served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Norton Sound and USS Palau in 1945-46 and 1951-52.

A standout athlete, Owen lettered in football, basketball and track in high school under the guidance of his coach Clark VanGalder. In college, he excelled in football where VanGalder was again his coach – helping his team to take the championship in 1949. He was elected to the All-Conference Team in both his junior and senior years.

Owen's success continued as a high school and college coach. He was head football coach at both Berlin and River Falls high schools, where he compiled a 56-38-4 record and three conference championships. At the college level, he was head football coach at the University of Dubuque from 1962-68 and an assistant football coach at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1969. In 1970, Owen moved back to his hometown for a position as head football coach at William Horlick High School. He served as athletic director at Horlick from 1971-1986, then J.I. Case High School until his retirement in 1989 from Racine Unified School District.

Athletic honors include induction into the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse's Wall of Fame and the Washington Park High School's Hall of Fame, both in 1990, the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association's Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Racine County Sports Hall of Fame's first "Deep Roots Award" in 2016.

He was also a member of the Berlin Junior Chamber of Commerce, president of the Dubuque Optimist Club, state secretary-treasurer of the Iowa Optimist Club, commissioner for both the Racine Recreational Department and the City Plan Commission, active member and elder for Covenant Presbyterian Church in Racine, member of the West Racine Kiwanis Club and past board member of the St. David's Society of Racine & Vicinity.

Owen was an avid golfer, enjoyed playing bridge, watching high school athletics and gathering with friends at morning coffee club. However, Owen was happiest in the company of his family, especially the weekly dinner gathering at Buckets Pub.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Alyce (Lyle) O'Neil; his sisters-in-law Arlona Melby, Joanne Fremstad and LaVonne (Gerald) Davis; and his cousin Glynn (Lavern) Humphrey.

He is survived by his loving wife Phyllis, daughter Susan Evans; his sons David Evans and John (Leanne) Evans, all of Racine, his grandchildren Jacob (Kayla, expecting great-grandson Owen Pierce in June) Evans, Ian (fiancée Andrea Gonzales) Evans and Anna (Alexander Hahn) Evans, brother David (Janice) Evans; sister Gwendolyn (Robert) Lehmann; brother-in-law Evan Melby; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home for a visitation on Sunday, March 18 from 2-4 p.m. A service celebrating his life will take place on Monday, March 19 at Covenant Presbyterian Church (40 Ohio St., Racine, WI 53405) at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jennifer Gleichauf officiating. There will also be a visitation at the church on Monday from 10-11 a.m. Memorials suggested to Covenant Presbyterian Church, the Racine County Sports Hall of Fame (701 Main St., Racine, WI 53403, 262-636-3926) or a charity of your choice.

The Evans family extends heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Primrose Retirement Community and to Hospice Alliance for the exceptional attention Owen received while under their care.

Service Details

Visitation:

Sunday, March 18, 2018

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home

Memorial Service:

Monday, March 19, 2018

11:00 a.m.

Covenant Presbyterian Church (40 Ohio Street)

There will also be a visitation in the church on Monday from 10-11 a.m.

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