Arthur Oran Evans, III

Arthur Oran Evans, III, 77, of Wharton, TX, passed away Thursday, January 3, 2019 at a Richmond hospital following a brief illness. He was born on November 29, 1941 in Freeport, a son of the late Arthur Oran Evans, Jr and Aileen Miller Evans.    Arthur was raised in the Freeport area and graduated from Brazosport High School in 1960. He continued his education at Southern Methodist University in Dallas where he played tennis and was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He completed his post graduate education at the University of Texas in Austin. Upon graduation, he worked in the shipping business for many years before making a career change into education.  He began his teaching and coaching career in Llano ISD before moving to Bay City ISD and finally to Kempner High School in Fort Bend ISD. He spent many years there coaching tennis and teaching government and economics.  On December 19, 1986, he married Mary Mitchell at St Thomas Episcopal Church. Arthur was very active in his church serving as a past Vestry member and on other committees as well as participating in many church activities.  He and Mary enjoyed traveling over the years, especially after his retirement, visiting many different states as well as other countries. He also learned to love camping with family, good friends and especially the grandchildren.  Arthur was an active member of the Stephen F Austin Statue Association, helping to spread Texas history to students and adults. He was also a proud members of The Sons of the Republic of Texas (SRT). He served in various positions in the SRT but for the past few years as an Area Representative. After retiring, he became interested in genealogy and enjoyed helping other people trace their ancestry especially if it meant he could recruit new members into the SRT.  He is survived by his wife, Mary Mitchell Evans of Wharton, sons, Lance Evans and wife Jennifer of Freeport and Arthur O. Evans IV of Wharton, step daughter Kaye McKlaine of West Hollywood, CA, step son Joshua Driscoll and wife Sheri of Houston and his grandchildren Lance Evans II, Hannah Driscoll, Berlyn Driscoll and Daxton Offenhauser-Driscoll.  Following cremation, a memorial service will be held Friday, January 11, 2019 at 10:30 am at St Thomas Episcopal Church in Wharton with Father Ken Dimmick celebrating.    Special thanks to our St Thomas church family and friends for all of their prayers, love and support. Also special thanks to the staff at Oak Bend Hospial for their medical care and for all of their prayers, care and compassion.    In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to:   St Thomas Episcopal Church  207 Bob-O-Link Wharton, TX 77488   The Sons of the Republic of Texas 1717 8th Street Bay City, TX 77414   Stephen F Austin-Munson Park 313 Mulberry Angleton, TX 77515   Funeral services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com