Darrell Newell Evans

Darrell Newell Evans passed away on August 24, 2021 from pancreatic cancer. Newell was born on November 30, 1940 to Margaret Berghout and Darrell Elijah Evans in Roosevelt, Utah. He was raised near his alma mater, West High School, from which he graduated in 1959. He married Janis Averett in December 1961. After their marriage, Jan and Newell moved to Texas for training with the U.S. Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The couple was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple before the birth of their first child. They were blessed with five children, Ryan, Matt, Steven (Marilyn), Alicia (Joel) and Christopher (Nancy). Newell and Jan were married for 60 years.

Newell’s joy was his family. He especially loved his grandchildren. If there was a graduation, play, recital, sport, or event, grandpa was there. And with 25 grandchildren, there were alot of events to attend. He especially loved travelling to sports tournaments and repping gear for his four grandchildren that played collegiate sports. In addition to his love of his grandchildren, grandpa loved the Utes. He sat with his wife, sons and son in law to cheer on the Utah football team through rain, sun, and snow. He never left the game early. Additionally, Newell enjoyed playing sports in high school and was a talented golfer and bowler. He enjoyed coaching his sons and other boys in the Sugar House area in little league baseball and basketball.

Papa Newell was soft spoken and considered himself shy but was also jovial and loved a good laugh. His gentle chuckle will be missed. Grandpa loved to hold his grandchildren when they were born and teasingly nicknamed each granddaughter and grandson Wilhelmina and Willard respectively. It was a wonderful experience to meet his first great grandchild, Hugh. We will miss Newell’s hearty smile, his cheery phone greetings, his striped polo shirts, and his baseball cap that was always a little too small.

Starting from when he sold newspapers on the corner of South Temple at only 7 years old, Newell always had a job. Newell says he was the youngest spoiled child until Ben and Charlie came along. He is grateful for his siblings who took care of him when his father, who worked 7 days a week was at work, and when his mother was sick. Cora and Marva helped his mother while his brothers James and Louis took him hunting and fishing and took care of him while they sold papers. Marva taught him how to read. He worked in the grocery business for over 30 years and private security for 15 years. In retirement, he was a faithful and loyal school crossing guard. Newell woke up early and went to work nearly every day of his life. He inspired us to work hard.

Newell is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He lived in many wonderful wards and served in many church callings, but felt especially welcomed by Bishop Soward and the High Priest group of the Winder 11th ward. During a low point in his life, Bishop Soward and the High Priest group took him in and accepted him. Newell was so pleased whenever he attended the baptisms and ordinances of his grandchildren. He had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and in the last months of his illness, he had many quiet moments to ponder the meaning of life. At his core, he was grateful for his family and for his knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his wife Janis, brother Ben and his sister Marva; and his children, their spouses and his grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, his siblings James, Louis, Cora and Charlie. Special thanks to the hospice doctors, nurses and aides, especially Kim, Danny and Hannah. He also wanted to express his sincere gratitude to his wife Janis and his children for their kindness in caring for him during his illness.

Funeral services will be Monday August 30th at 11:00 am at the Forestview Ward LDS chapel: 1111 E. Charlton Ave. Salt Lake City, Utah. Viewings will be held on Sunday August 29th, 5-7pm and Monday August 30th 10:00- 10:45.

If you are unable to attend in person please join us by live streaming the services. There are step by step instructions below to help you join us in honoring Newell's life.

1. Joining by computer

a. Go to zoom.us in any internet browser

b. Click “join meeting”

c. Enter the meeting id - 8012624631

d. A box will open saying “https://zoom.us wants to open this application”. Click “open zoom”

e. Click “Join with Computer Audio”

f. Click “Mute” in the bottom left hand corner so that your audio does not interrupt the funeral services

2. Joining by phone or iPad

a. Download the Zoom app

b. Open the app and select “join a meeting”

c. Enter the meeting id - 8012624631

d. Select “join without video”

e. Select “Call using internet audio”

f. Select “mute” in the bottom left hand corner so that your audio does not interrupt the funeral services.