Obituary of Donald Trevor Evans

Evans, Donald Trevor “Bush,” passed away in Kimberley, BC on November 30, 2024.

 

Predeceased by his father, Trevor (1956), mother Viva Urban (2006), and mother-in-law Margaret Barr (2017). Donald is survived by his wife, Margot, children Brandon (Tracy - Ale and Cass) and Andrea (Jason - Jacob and Matthew), sister Gladys Hanson (Hillory and Christina) and sister- in-law Susan Robertson (George - Ian, Megan, and Maëlle). He is lovingly remembered by extended family and friends that are part of the family.

 

With family roots deep in the Kootenays, Donald was born in Nelson on May 10,1942 and grew up in Kimberley. As a child, his favourite place was his grandfather’s ice cream parlour in Silverton. Community involvement was a constant in Donald’s life from his childhood as a member of the Kimberley Boy Scouts and the 266 Kimberley Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Later, he was an active member of the East Kootenay Timing Association (Wasa Lake Drag Strip), a volunteer member of the Kimberley Ambulance Society, and St. Mary’s Fly Fishers Club.

 

His contributions to the Kimberley Ski Resort at North Star Mountain began in 1958, when he and friends, guided by ski hill manager Sam Wormington, helped to build the Maverick T-Bar. His time on the mountain also included more than 25 years as a member of the Kimberley Ski Patrol, along with his support for the Special Olympics, North Star Racers, and CAD races. He was also a long time season-pass holder for the Kimberley Dynamiters.

 

Donald was a City of Kimberley employee for many years, contributing to his community with roles in public works and later serving as a firefighter with the Kimberley Fire Department. After retirement, he worked for Mainroad East Kootenay Contracting maintaining winter highways.

 

An avid outdoorsman and active well into his later years, he took his last rafting trips on the St. Mary and Kootenay Rivers this past summer. Donald enjoyed skiing, bike riding, fishing, hunting, flying kites, and becoming a novice glider pilot. As his children grew up, he regularly accompanied Andrea’s school field trips and the two shared a special bond in learning how to dance, with Andrea on Donald’s feet. Donald and Brandon shared many hunting and fishing trips across western Canada and Northwest Territories.

 

Time with family at Windermere Lake was a regular and important part of Donald’s life. Sailing, waterskiing, and of course, fishing were key activities every summer, along with keeping a watchful eye on his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephew, and their friends as he shared his love of the outdoors and his curiosity for all things in nature with them. He was equally happy at a lively dinner table with friends and family as he was sitting quietly, often with a dog by his side, by the lake.

 

Donald loved his family, his friends, his neighbours, and his community. We remember him, always, as a kind man.

 

We wish to thank all those who cared for Donald at The Pines. Your kindness and support helped our family through this sad time.

 

A celebration of life will be held, summer of 2025.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to St. Mary’s Fly Fishers Club, the Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia, or a charity of your choosing in Donald’s memory.