James Landrum Evans

Soldier, Husband, Father, and Grandfather. Lieutenant Colonel James Landrum Evans, US Army, Retired, 89, of Columbia, died peacefully at his home on September 20, 2018. Born in Spartanburg, SC, on November 9, 1928, he was the son of the late James Key Evans and Sara Shippey Evans. Family tradition brought him to Clemson A & M College/University where in 1953 he graduated and was designated as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Textile Manufacturing/Engineering. While there, he played shortstop on the baseball team for three years and became a member of the Block C Club. Lt. Colonel Evans was a graduate of the Army Aviation Schools in both the fixed and rotary pilot training. He also graduated from the Signal Advanced School. His military assignments took him to Korea, NSA, Fort Meade, Maryland, Germany, and two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. Upon assignment to Special Forces, Fort Bragg, NC, he commanded the 3rd and 7th Special Forces Aviator companies. Lt. Colonel’s next assignment was 82nd Airborne Division as S3 of the aviation battalion. His required ground assignment was Commander of the 416th Signal Battalion. For an interim period, he commanded the 32nd Signal Group. His decorations include the Bronze Star, Air Medal with clusters, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with clusters, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm among others. A civilian award, The Flying S, by Sikorsky Aircraft was awarded for a lifesaving rescue on a mountain in Yakima, Washington. In 1974, he retired from Fort Jackson as Director of Communications and Electronics. Lt. Colonel Evans was then employed at the Attorney General’s office as Chief Investigator for ten years, whereupon, he retired to Fort Jackson Golf Course. He achieved two hole-in-ones while legally blind, making a total of five in his golfing career. His belief was never, never give up-never quit. Lt. Colonel Evans served as president of the MOAA chapter at Fort Jackson. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Livingston, NJ, a member of Jamil Temple in Columbia, and Scottish Rite 33 in Memphis, TN. He was a good man! Lt. Colonel Evans is survived by his wife of 62 years Angelina M. Evans; daughter, Angela Key Evans; son, James Landrum Evans, Jr. (Wanda W.); grandson, James Landrum Evans, III (Mary Hudson) ; great grandson, Hunter Landrum Evans; and a great granddaughter, Harper Lane Evans. A funeral service celebrating Lt. Colonel Evans life will be held at 11 o’clock, Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext, Columbia. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10 o’clock. Burial with military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517 or to South Carolina Commission for the Blind, 1430 Confederate Avenue, Columbia, SC 29201.

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James Landrum Evans

November 9, 1928 - September 20, 2018