"A
mind that never rested, an imagination with no boundaries"
A memorial service was held Thursday, Oct. 25 in Sacred Heart Chapel honoring
the life of Jonathan M. Evans, a senior double major in physics and math,
and a minor in philosophy from Maui, Hawaii.
According to a Message from the President, Evans died Thursday, Oct. 18.
in a motorcycle accident. He was 23.
Richard G. Plumb, Dean of the College of Science and Engineering, began the
service with a welcome to those attending the memorial.
Dr. Vincent P. Cullotta, Evans' physics professor who also spoke, described
him as being, "like a member of the family," and "charming." Evans was a
teaching and research assistant for Cullotta, and Cullotta stated Evans took
joy in his work and could be found working in the physics lab so often that
Cullotta hoped the study could be renamed in his honor.
Alex Trevelyan, a junior engineering physics major and Evans' classmate,
said Evans was a dedicated classmate who possessed "warmth and compassion
in his character." When Evans was around, there was never a dull moment to
be found, as he had a spontaneous, and ambitious character. Trevelyan said
Evans could always be found smiling and was very heartwarming and engaging.
Evans' brother, Billy Ray Gallion, and his father, James Evans, were the
last to speak during the emotional service. Gallion expressed that his brother
was "so many different things for so many different people," and knew how
to provide what people needed. Gallion concluded his statement by calling
Evans a "hero who strove to be a better person everyday."
James Evans was the final speaker in the ceremony and shared personal anecdotes
of his son. He said that Evans was "a loving brother and wonderful friend
to everyone he touched. Evans raised the bar as an exemplary teacher, tutor
and classmate. He had a true 'thirst for life' but always remained a capricious,
loving child at heart," said his father.
The memorial service concluded with a musical reflection of the song, "Simple
Man," and a closing prayer by Dr. Plumb. Jonathan Evans' vivacious and friendly
spirit will truly be missed on this campus. Please keep Jonathan's family
and friends in your prayers.
"A
mind that never rested, an imagination with no boundaries"