On December 5, 2023 Arnold “Buck” William Evans received his last call for service surrounded by his loving family at the Platte County Memorial Hospital in Wheatland. Although it was his last call, his memory and legacy will forever be held.
Buck Evans, 77, of Wheatland, passed after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
Buck was born in Hindsville, Arkansas on Friday, October 11, 1946 at 11 p.m., to Clearance and Winnie (Edmondson) Evans and was delivered by his grandmother, Rainey Evans, and a midwife. Buck was the first son of 11 children of the family. Buck and his family moved to Wyoming in 1952. Buck would go on to attend school in Huntley and Yoder. He then went on to obtain his GED.
Buck entered the United States Army in January of 1967 serving two years and then onto a 14-year service with the Wyoming Army National Guard.
Buck came home to his loving wife, Linda (Franzen) Evans after attending his military service. He went to work for Wilson Brothers Concrete where he worked for a short time.
In 1970 Buck found his true passion with the Wheatland Police Department. During his career he attended the Eastern Wyoming College and was in the first class of five officers to graduate with his AAS in Criminal Justice in off campus study. Buck also was a volunteer Fire Fighter with the Wheatland Volunteer Fire Department, a volunteer EMT, and was a founding father of the local Kiwanis. Buck worked diligently through his career with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation as an agent and officer. In 1977, Buck took the honor of being the youngest police Chief in the State of Wyoming as the Chief of Police of the Wheatland Police Department. He received many honors throughout his career such as Outstanding Police Officer of the year. He had a long and lasting career of serving the public within his career and other organizations and boards.
After his Law Enforcement career drew to a close Buck went to work with Northern Improvement, Lamb Construction and finally finding his home with Rissler McMurry Construction. Buck would work the summer months building roads and bridges and, in the winter, would work for Trans-Systems as an operator loading and hauling beats. One winter his McMurry family decided they needed his skill and service year-round and he went to work strictly with them. Buck built and finished his career with them helping develop and run the Frederick Quarry in Guernsey where he retired in 2011.
Buck married and began his greatest legacy with Linda (Franzen) Evans on January 2, 1968. To this amazing union was born a daughter and a son. His daughter, Penny Jo (Teel) Evans and son, Jason William Evans. Buck and Linda were married 54 years at his time of passing. His loving family traveled and followed him all over the state of Wyoming to see “Daddy” for the weekend.
Buck leaves his legacy to carry on with his loving wife, Linda of Wheatland; daughter, Penny (Al) Teel and family of Wheatland; son, Jason (Quinn) Evans and family of Wheatland and Cheyenne.
His world was complete when he was spending time with his loving family. His daughter, Penny and son, Jason were his fondest of people until of course the grandkids came to his world. In their world he was “Papa” but also known as the greatest Grandpa of all. Penny’s daughters, Brianna Barrett and Baily Fluharty, and bonus grandchildren, Clay, Cody and Chylie Teel. His son’s children, Rainey Huckfeldt, Jagger Evans, and Quentin Evans; and his bonus grandson, Jordan Ham.
Buck also was gifted as a great grandpa to Aubrie Fluharty, Oliver Fluharty, Oscar Fluharty, and Samual Huckfeldt. With this group of people his cup runneth over.
Buck is also survived by three sisters and five brothers, Dorothy Matthews, Bob Evans, Larry (Rhonda) Evans, Dave (Cathy) Evans, Anita Johnson, Donnie (Jennifer) Evans, and Susie Moehr. His extended family is also part of this extremely large group, Lewis (Terry) Franzen, Jannett Horsley, and 118 nieces and nephews.
Buck was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents, Clarence and Winnie Evans; his parents-in-law, Einer and Alma Franzen; and three siblings, Betty King, Gene Evans, and LeRoy Evans. Also, preceding him in death were sister-in-law, Kathy Evans; brothers-in-law, Gene Gayman, Dennis King, Bernie Mathews, Oscar Johnson, Jack Miller, and Dale Franzen.
Buck enjoyed hunting, fishing, and hunting Indian Artifacts. He was an avid gun and coin collector as well.
Services for Buck will be a private burial with a celebration of life being held at the 10th Street Social Club on January 13, 2024 at 2 p.m. The family would love to see everybody and hear your experiences with Buck (Dad and Papa).
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
