John Harvey Evans

“He was such a delight to be around. Always put smiles on everyone’s faces”

Our brilliant, charming John passed away in the arms of his longtime partner, Rolayne. He fought through many physical ailments with hope and courage.

Parents, John Henry Evans and Hazel Byrd Evans, welcomed their beautiful son in Augusta, Georgia and then moved to New Jersey in search of greater opportunities.  His parents knew he was brilliant and encouraged his love of learning from an early age.  He read “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” and other classics in the third grade. In Newark’s Sixth Grade Challenge Quiz, John and his best friend, Marvin Byers, represented their school and competed against teams from every school in the district. John and Marvin won the competition.

John attended Barringer High School, even though it was outside his district and demanded a several miles walk, to benefit from the more advanced curriculum and Italian language courses. Not only did he excel academically, but he was also a student government officer and an all-state baseball player.

John accepted a scholarship to University of Connecticut for his undergraduate work. He then went on to The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania for his master’s degree followed by the University of Wisconsin Madison for his doctoral work. John was an economist and spent his professional life working for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation holding many executive positions including Division Administrator of Aeronatics, Railroads and Harbor Transit and Director of the Bureau of Traffic Safety.

Ask John anything and he would know the answer or look it up for you.  He was a life-long learner and knowledgeable in many areas. He could entertain a group with his stories and always encouraged others to experience the joy of the educated life. Never without an interest or pursuit, John held a small plane pilot license. He was an avid golfer, and loved history, art and music, especially jazz and Motown.

He met his future wife, Nancy Campbell, in Newark and they married in 1977. Nancy and John welcomed their beloved daughters, Jessica Hazel and Allison Catherine. They later divorced.

John met his soulmate, Rolayne Fairclough, through their shared work in transportation and traffic safety. They have been together for 29 years. In addition to Rolayne, John is survived by his daughters, Jessica and Allison, granddaughters Olivia Joy and Ruby Renee Kendall, his niece, Joyce Gerren  (Nicholas) their son, Scriven King (Shanna), and his cousin Lena Talley (Bill Grage).  Also mourning John are his longtime friend and “brother” Marvin Byers, his son Michael (Tene), daughter Alisa Byers, sister Sandra (Robert) Taylor, and brother Marty Byers. John is also survived by Tanya Fairclough Toulou (Allan) and Alexander, Zachary and Madaline Toulou. John is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Alfred Donald Cunningham.

John’s friendly attitude endeared him to people from all walks of life.  Whether coaching his daughters’ sports teams or representing the governor at national conferences, he exhibited an affable, knowledgeable disposition.

John had a passion for social justice.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the NAACP, The Southern Poverty Law Center or Planned Parenthood.

We will celebrate John’s life on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 beginning at 6:30 PM, friends and family may gather at 6:00 PM at Starks Funeral Home, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance on the north side of the building.