Thomas "Tom" S. Evans passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. A celebration of life will be held at a later date so family and friends may celebrate a life lived to the fullest.

Born on a Sunday, May 15, 1958, to John Evans and Mary (Urbanski) Evans in Faribault, Minnesota where he attended Bethlehem Academy High School (class of 1976) and went on to study Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Minnesota. Tom was accepted into law school at the University of Tulsa. He interned with the Supreme Court of Oklahoma in 1982 and graduated with his Juris Doctor degree in 1983. He was also a proud member of the Oklahoma Bar Association since 1984.

Tom spent the majority of his career specializing in personal injury and nursing home negligence. He litigated cases both at a state and national level throughout his career and loved practicing law. In 1998, he ran for 8th judicial district judge and enjoyed campaigning and participating in the political process. He was a firm believer in speaking up and taking action when personally convicted. He moved his law firm, Evans Law Center, out of the Security Bank building in Ponca City to East Grand Avenue when the opportunity to restore a dilapidated building presented itself. He was proud to be a part of the Ponca City downtown restoration project and gave back to the community in any way that he could. Tom retired from practicing law in 2023.

Competitive at heart, Tom loved competitive hobbies. He and his brother, Doug, competed in several horse handicapping tournaments in Las Vegas. Tom won multiple entries into the World Series of Poker and won the no-limit hold'em state championship in 2007. Over the years, he participated in BBQ, chili and steak competitions and looked forward to his nephew, Blake's, fantasy football drafts every year. As an avid football fan, he always supported his Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings, couldn't wait for football season, and could talk football with anyone and often did. Tom was an incredibly caring man that put the needs of others before his own. Often considered the life of the party, he always made sure his family and friends were welcomed with open arms, a drink in hand, and were well fed. After relocating to Stillwater, Oklahoma in 2013, Tom loved to cook, attend McKnight Center events with his wife, debate politics and, of course, host his family and friends with plenty of food and a great time.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Doug, and many beloved pets.

He is survived by his wife, Leslie (Anderson) Evans; daughter, Laura (Evans) Rathke and her husband Joel of Edmond; son Scott Evans of Medford, Oregon; brothers John Evans of Faribault, Minnesota and his wife Carole, Daniel Evans of Cape Coral, Florida and his wife Julie, and sister Diane (Evans) Weisman of Osceola, Wisconsin and her husband Michael along with several nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Tom was a source of warmth, humor, and generosity. His family and friends will remember him as a man who lived life fully, loved deeply, and gave freely, leaving behind a world better for his having been in it.