Weary of reading obituaries noting someone’s courageous battle with death, Tad wanted it known that he died as a result of being stubborn and raising hell for more than seven decades.
Tad Forbes Evans, 74, of Glendale, Arizona, was born on February 13, 1943. He kicked the bucket, bought the farm, and ate his last barbeque rib on February 8, 2018. Tad sometimes did things a little backwards. Married for 37 years to Connie (Larson) Evans, he is also survived by what he always deemed his three favorite people; his grandson, Mark Anthony Malone, 28, of Austin, Texas; his grandson Samuel James Malone, 27, of Glendale, Arizona; and his granddaughter, Mollie Nicole Malone, 25, of Glendale, Arizona. He was semi-fond of his own children, Diane Evans-Bjorem (Mark) and Brett F Evans, also of Glendale. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he was the son of the late Harry DeWitt Evans and Marjorie Jane (Forbes) Evans of Casper, Wyoming. Raised and educated in Casper, he was escorted off the grounds of Natrona County High School, Class of 1961. Deciding he was sick of shoveling snow, he researched the warmest place on earth and moved to Phoenix where he graduated from Arizona State University, earning degrees in Business and Journalism. He was a true, loyal Sun Devil until his final day and only spoke to certain Wildcats.
He began his career at Transamerica Title after graduation, remaining in the title business until his retirement. He claimed this industry was, hands down, the most stressful line of work there was and when home in the evenings, demanded quiet time in his house as he watched Archie Bunker, Gunsmoke and M.A.S.H. reruns.
Tad lived life in his own way. He held sweet memories of the times he spent at “Camp Cheebrokus,” the cabin he built in Forest Lakes, Arizona. Because of his wicked peanut allergy, he donned welding gloves and gardening masks to place handfuls of peanuts out for the squirrels and birds every morning while there. He was notorious for his work ethic, love of cars and wild women. He was a brilliant, mechanically gifted man, house fixer-upper, and was always inventing new, colorful curse words. Tad’s many talents included repairing cars and motorcycles, riding his Harley, barbequing and hanging around the fire pit.
He was a rabid fan of the Sun Devil and Arizona Cardinals football teams, long before it was fashionable. He almost found himself divorced after buying season tickets to the Phoenix Suns in 1969 without checking with the boss. Tad loved to ride his Harley Davidson, but carefully towed it to Sturgis so as not to get any rock chips or scratches. His favorite holiday was the 4th of July and enjoyed taking the family to San Diego every summer to watch the girls in bikinis walk by. He was fiercely proper, possessed a small amount of obsessive compulsive disorder, and carried Windex and rubber gloves with him at all times. He was a hard-working man, loyal, silly, kind, gentle, respectful and incredibly generous. He enjoyed booze, cars, guns, and wild women until the day he died.
ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends may or may not gather to celebrate Tad’s life on Thursday, February 15th from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85018.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Savior Hospice, 4530 E. Shea Blvd, Suite 160, Phoenix, AZ 85028 or to Lion’s Club International, 1016 N. 32nd Street, #5, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
Brenda Harris
DeDe: I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad . I remember you both vivadly from United TItle. Remember Sun City? Tad was just as handsome in his latter years as he was in the 80’s & 90’s. He was a super boss. My prayers are for you &your family for peace & love. Brenda Harris
Milt Ferrantelli
Well he is still making me laugh with his obituary. I will miss him dearly both as a great friend but also as a confidant both in business and my personal life. It was an honor to be his friend. He possessed one of the greatest minds in the escrow world and there was rarely a problem he could not solve, although I would sometimes tell him in thirty words or less. Tad touched many lives in business and the world at large , he should be remembered as the great man he was and be honored in the same way. Connie, my best to you and Brett and Diane and the rest of the family. I will miss him dearly. Milt
Nicole Kozma
What a wonderful tribute this obituary is. Although I did not have the pleasure of knowing Tad personally, I think I would have adored him. I do however have the privilege of knowing is daughter and very much enjoyed being witness to her deep love for her dad and hearing about their many adventures. I am so sorry for everyone who’s heart is breaking at the loss of this great man.
Elaine Gordon and family
My heartfelt condolences to Connie, DeeDee, Bret and family. May all of your loving, fond memories of Tad help to bring you peace and comfort at this sad time.
Chris Phillips
Connie – I am so sad to hear about your loss that my heart is breaking. But on the other hand, I am happy that I got to know Tad as a friend and business associate. His obituary made me smile and remember all the meetings and stories and fun times. He was a character who lived life his way. I will miss him dearly.
Chris Phillips, Plano, TX
Barbara and Pete Kilgard
Despite the sadness, we had to smile and laugh when reading Tad’s obituary— it is so Tad! In addition, we thought we should add how he never ceased to amaze us with his very quick wit and fast-talking! Always felt like replaying what he had just said, in case you missed something! Knowing Connie and Tad since 1966-67 has enriched our lives so much. We were more a part of DeeDee and Brett’s early years as well as ours and Connie and Tad’s, when we were buying our first homes and raising our children. Such fun memories we have of those years! Knowing Tad is physically no longer with us is sad, but his enduring spirit so excellently described above, will be with us always! Love to Connie, DeeDee and Brett as well as the rest of their family.
Ted Mullikin
Generous to a fault. Tad was truly a good friend and a pain at the same time. Loved him, and his family. Wish I had a nickel for every time we challenged each other and I ended up the ultimate moron. Rest in peace my dear friend. Bible study will not be the same without you
Sheryl Medlock
Trust Tad to get the last laugh in his obituary (we all know that he had a hand in it). Tad was my friend, my mentor and my champion in the escrow/title industry for more than 30 years. He provided me with a wealth of knowledge and guidance (even, as we all know, could get a little wordy) for which I will always be truly grateful. Tad actually helped make me strong enough to get through many things both professionally and personally. He also was a delightful friend who was always there for me and he always kept me laughing. I will miss him more that I can ever say. We rarely had conversations that didn’t include family foibles, delight and pride. Connie, Brett, Diane, please take comfort in knowing that he was loved by so very many and he loved you all and the grandkids so very much.
Barbara and Pete Kilgard
Despite the sadness, we found ourselves laughing and smiling while reading the above obituary—it was so Tad! We wanted to add Tad’s quick wit and fast-talking; had to think about what he had said in case we missed something! We met Connie and Tad in 1966-67 and have appreciated and enjoyed our shared experiences—buying our first homes and raising our families. Though Tad is no longer physically with us, his enduring (and endearing) spirit will always be with us!
Wayne Ingram
I’m glad I waited (computer issues) until now to send this after attending Tad service today.
I learned a lot about Tad that “i did not know” before today. Thank you, Diane!
Tad was a very good friend and I will always remember the times we spent together at local car shows,football games,
and our Thursday night “Bible Study” at Durant’s. Rest in Peace buddy.
Carol Scott
So many memories come to mind after “really” reading this obit. I’m happy to say that my first impression of Tad was that he was an arrogant, pompous ass, and I didn’t want to have much to do with him as a boss. As time went on and I got to know him better, it was just that he was actually a very intelligent man with a lot of self confidence (which he deserved to have). The longer we worked together and argued over files, opinions etc. I grew very fond of him. I didn’t always agree with him, but I respected him more than any other boss (except one) and realized my first impression was nowhere near accurate. After many heated discussions about moving my office he finally conceded to listening to my input and allowing me to be a very active part of the search (against his better judgement). I have 2 very vivid memories which will last forever I’m sure and also which touched my heart sooooo much was 1) a day he invited me to lunch because “we needed to talk” and I was not looking forward at all to it, but went, after all “he’s the boss” and he and his flashy corvette picked me up at my office and drove us to Black Angus and after some small talk and our orders were taken, he reached in his daytimer or whatever it was and told me, ” I have a gift for you with one condition, when you don’t need it any longer, you find someone who can benefit from it and you pass it on to them.” I agreed. He then handed me a book. I figured it was an escrow book, but no it was not. He looked at me very seriously almost with tears in his eyes and said, “I understand that your father in law has been diagnosed with Dementia/ Alzhiemer’s and because I went through it with my Dad, I thought this might help you and your family some.” Well he wasn’t whistling Dixie, he was SPOT ON!! Our family most definitely ALL benefited and I did find someone to benefit towards the end of his days and because of that book, I was able to spend more time with my Father in Law with a great deal more patience and love. Thank you Tad!! The 2nd big memory was the day he had to come and close my office and lay myself and my whole staff off and he was truly distressed by having to do this. He made it as easy as possible for me to leave that day with my head held as high as I could and due to the timing of it all he made sure that FedEx was re-routed to another branch in case it was things that had been ordered for my first born child’s (daughter) wedding that was less than 7 weeks away. It was a tough time with an awful lot of things to be cleared out of my office since I had made it all “my space” with many personal items after all those years. He was as accommodating as possible and checked in with me from time to time pretty much until his retirement which meant the world to me. RIP Boss and my sincerest sympathies to his entire family. I am extremely sad for your loss.
Laurie Gail Senko (Biltmore Lion)
What a Lovely tribute to Tad and a Wonderful Memorial yesterday!
I am very happy that I was able to drive up from Yuma yesterday for the event, Blessings to Connie and the family!
Carri V. CNA
Sending my condolences to Connie and family, Tad taught me a lot about cars in the last few months of taking care of him thru Hospice, reading his Obit makes me happy to know that he was so well loved by many. He will be missed. He was such a sweetheart.
Gene L. Kreuziger
Miss you dear friend.