John Roy Evans, 88, died February 27, 2009 at Central Kansas Medical Center, Great Bend, Kansas. He was born October 22, 1920 at Claflin, Kansas, the son of Roy Everett and Stella (Smith) Evans. A 1938 graduate of Claflin High School, Mr. Evans pursued higher education at Fort Hays State University, where he was the quarterback for the football team, competed in track, and pledged Phi Delta Chi. He married Mace Alder July 13, 1940 at Medicine Lodge, Kansas. They enjoyed each others lives for more than sixty-four years. She died November 9, 2004. Mr. Evans attended Washburn University, later to be called away from his education to teach hydraulics to fighter pilots during World War II at Lincoln, Nebraska, Air Force Base. Upon his return to Kansas, he was involved in his familys dairy operations. Then, in 1949, he entered into a successful oil production business which evolved into John Roy Evans Oil Company, LLC, spanning over sixty years. He also had a lifelong interest in farming. Mr. Evans was also an official for both football and basketball games, officiating at the NJCAA championships. As a lifetime Claflin resident, Mr. Evans was a member of the United Methodist Church and Masonic Lodge, both of Claflin, Isis Shrine of Salina, and Consistory and KIOGA of Wichita. He and his wife were the first worthy patron and worthy matron of the Eastern Star in Holyrood. Mr. Evans was a stockholder of American State Bank, and was a member of the Golden Eagle Advisory Board, BPOE, all of Great Bend. He had an active interest in the Kansas Oil and Gas Museum at Great Bend. Survivors include two daughters: Pamela Evans and life partner, Dr. Diane Radford, St. Louis, Missouri; and Patricia Kirmer and husband, Gary, Claflin, Kansas; two granddaughters: Rachel Kirmer and Megan Kirmer; and one sister-in-law, Althea Alder, Evanston, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mace, one infant son; and one sister, Rachel (Evans) Day. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at the United Methodist Church, Claflin, Kansas. The Reverend Gene Langhofer will officiate. Burial will be in Claflin Cemetery, Claflin, Kansas. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday, March 2, 2009, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Claflin United Methodist Church or the Claflin Ambulance Fund, in care of the funeral home.