Jeffrey Ray Evans

“If you could read my mind, love, what a tale my thoughts could tell…” 

     Jeffrey “Jevans” Ray Evans [II] passed away unexpectedly in the early morning of August 18th, 2025, in his beloved family cottage in Pymatuning State Park, Pennsylvania.

     Born on August 2, 1970 in Pittsburgh Pa, Jeff was a beloved father, teacher, artist and writer, Harpers Ferry Tour guide, and historian, who touched the lives of more people than anyone will ever know. He was loved, and loved as deeply as the sea. He graduated from Bethany College West Virginia in 1995 and again in 2004 with degrees in history, political science, and science. In between his college excursions, Jevans worked for the National Park Service in Fort Necessity, Petersburg, Gettysburg and Eisenhower National Historic Site, He also worked as a guide at Colonial Williamsburg.

     After going back to school, Jevans started as a very beloved teacher, working at schools such as: Old Trail School [Bath Ohio], Saint Stephen's Episcopal School [Harrisburg Pennsylvania] The Close Up Foundation [Washington DC & NYC] and Woodrow Wilson High School [Beckley WV]. Besides being a teacher, he was a certified tour guide at Harpers Ferry WV, and was a board member. When not found in either location, he could be found helping out the Boyscouts, or the Beckley Little League teams. Some of his fondest memories were working his Civil War and Bike Camps at Old Trail Schools SCAMP.

     Jevans loved art, and art museums, being especially fond of impressionist painters along with Dutch painter Vermeer, Thomas Cole, Bob Ross, and Charlie Harper. He was even a painter himself, with his art focusing on the places and people that he loved. His favorite painting was one that he titled “The Crooked Lamp,” a painting that he worked on for months, of Harpers Ferry. On top of art he loved music, especially classical, The Grateful Dead, Jimmy Buffet, Gordon Lightfoot and so many more. His favorite Classical compositions included The Planets by Gustav Holst, and the Pines of Rome. He was proud to call the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra his home orchestra, and would brag about it often. He loved baseball, and especially the Akron Rubber Ducks, and Cleveland Guardians, Pittsburgh Pirates, along with hockey and ice skating.

     Most of all he loved the world. Jevans wanted to travel and see everything, take pictures of every flower and eat food from every place he could. He loved watching the sunset over the Great Lakes, hiking through the woods, fishing, stargazing, canoeing, and surrounding himself in nature, no matter the season or weather. One of his favorite sounds was that of the geese migrating. He could identify any bird, or plant you asked him too, and loved to do so. He loved the animals some would call unlovable, especially squirrels. His favorite place on earth however, was around the lake at his family cottage.

     Jevans is survived by his beloved family. His wife Lynn Ann Hartzell Evans, daughters Mari Rae Evans (Zephyr), and Kiera Ann Evans and his son John Logan Evans. As well as his parents Jeffrey and Susan Baker Evans, and his brothers David (Carol) and Neil Evans, Niece Amber Evans, and dear Uncle Frank Hunter.

     He is now in the company of his adored grandparents Maryanne and J.Ray Evans, William C. and Barbara Taylor Baker, alongside his Aunt Judi, and cousin Katie Hunter. No amount of words can ever amount to the impact, and inspiration that was brought by Jevans. But he can still be found in the stories of those who loved him, the wind, flowers, and the rain that falls to the earth. Please, have a cup of coffee or a meatball sub in his honor. Or maybe a cherry Coke Zero. 

     Gatherings will be held in:  Steubenville Ohio on September 6th, at Fort Steuben at 11:00 am. Gettysburg and Beckley will be announced at a later date, please keep an eye on the families socials. If one would like to honor Jevans’ legacy, please consider donating to the Harpers Ferry Park Association. 723 Shenandoah St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 

“When you reach the part where the heartaches come

The hero would be me

But heroes often fail

And you won't read that book again

Because the ending's just too hard to take”