Mr. Joseph Edward Evans Obituary (1980 - 2016)

Joseph Edward Evans, 36, passed away Saturday, May 21, 2016 at the Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home in Russellville, AR. He was born May 2, 1980 in Mena, AR. Rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant and serving in the Marine Corps for 11 years, 9 months and 25 days, Joseph was a United States Marine Corps Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and The Global War on Terror. He was a member of the Marine Corps Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. While in the Marine Corps, his duties included training military police K9s for service. He was a K9 Master Trainer and Kennel Master and was certified for HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) and HAHO (High Altitude High Opening) combat jumps with his K9 partner. Joseph was a spirited warrior and instructor of Marine Corps martial arts. He also was a gifted marksman and was a combat marksmanship coach, serving nine months on the Marine Corps shooting team as a long range marksman. During this time, the team traveled to multiple locations across the country competing in marksmanship tournaments against other military and civilian teams. His other qualifications included being a hostage/crisis negotiator and interrogator. Joseph was an avid reader, spoke Arabic and was fluent in 10 languages. He enjoyed training military working dogs, drawing, running marathons including the "Spartan Marathon" and "Conquer the Gauntlet," playing guitar and drums, repelling, riding his Harley, ATV's, dirt biking, the outdoors, billiards, darts and was an excellent cook. He was also a semi-finalist in the World Championship Beer Pong Competition in Las Vegas! Upon completion of his military service, Joseph joined the Arkansas Nuclear One security team. He was a candidate for selection on the Composite Adversary Force (C.A.F.) team tasked with identifying possible intrusion techniques into nuclear plants around the country. Joseph was a loving father, brother, best friend, warrior and savant. When thanked for his military service and told he was a hero, he would humbly say "It was an honor to be of service to our country" and that he had known many heroes, but was "not one of them." He loved and fought fiercely for his family, friends and country. He will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his father Joseph N. Evans. Survivors include his son, Jaxon Evans of Heavener, OK; siblings, Rebecca Gray and husband Virgil of VA, Susan Dicus and husband Dwight of Russellville, Joseph N. Evans Jr. of Mena and Bobby Evans of AL; special friend and mother to his child, Jacqualyn Lillard; and numerous extended family and friends. A memorial service will be held in his honor at 11:00AM, Monday, May 23, 2016 at Humphrey Chapel in Russellville. Full military honors will be provided. Internet obituary and on-line guest book are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, 2405 East Parkway, Suite 3, Russellville, AR 72802.