EVANS, Ron
March 22, 1938 — November 14, 2011
Born In Guelph Ontario.

"The Okanagan's Very Own Ron Evans" was the longest-running president and CEO of CHBC-TV, Manager of BCI-TV, and Director of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. During his tenure CHBC was the most profitable station per capita in Canada.

A major force in the golden era of Canadian broadcast television and a key player in Okanagan low-society, Ron began his life in the Okanagan drinking at the Royal Anne Hotel, gambling in the Kelowna Club, and touring the Kootenays talking families out of precious heirlooms.

Renowned for his relentless but honest bargaining skills, (some Doukhobors may beg to differ) Ron was a player of odds, a collector of all-and-sundry, a skilled axe-thrower that could split a card at 9 paces, and a creator of magical, wonderful and dangerous toys for his and neighbourhood children.

Above all he was a helper of strangers and friends alike.

Ron spent most of his retirement on Vancouver Island or at his cabin at Headwaters where he took great pleasure in breaking things and then trying to fix them with duct tape and chicken wire.

Ron is survived by his loving wife Pat, his two children Shaula and Jate, and his sisters Arlene, Eleanor, Joan, and Pat.

Join us in a Celebration for Ron Evans, to be held Saturday Dec. 3 at the Capri Hotel Ballroom in Kelowna, BC from 1-3 PM. We would appreciate any personal anecdotes or photos of you with Ron. If you wish to honor Ron's memory, please make a donation in his name to a charity of your choice.

No flowers please, because they always reminded Ron of funerals.

• I will miss Ron greatly. I have had the pleasure of sharing time at the Headwaters Lake #3 with he and Patsy as our next door neighbours. His great sense of humour kept us in stitches on many occasions. As well, myself and my wife Catriona had never owned a cabin before, so he helped us in many ways to learn the many ins and outs needed to enjoy our time there. He would never hesitate to teach or throw in a helping hand and was an inspiration to us all as to how what it means to be a good neighbour.
  
  His spirit will always be with myself and Catriona and we can only hope that our paths will cross again somewhere in the great scheme of things.
  
  Ken Heatherington Nov 25, 2011
• He was a very kind man and could throw a great birthday party. Sorry for your loss, Pat and family.
  
  Martin Vance Nov 25, 2011
• We too became neighbours at Headwaters lake and as we settled in we also benefited from Ron and Pat's seasoned advice and sweet and sour humour. Too bad we didn't ask for advice sooner. Ron and Pat, being the seasoned cottagers, visited to see how we were coming along in saving our shambles of a tumble down cabin. He saw that Allen had built a new dock and examined it with great admiration, praising Allen's construction skills. Then with tongue firmly planted in cheek, pointed out how unique it would be to have it under water for a month or so with the high water from winter melt, whereas the rest of the folks on the lake had the same boring floating docks that would rise and fall with the fluctuating water levels. Allen and I and the rest of the folks on HW# will toast your passing at our next "wild'n wacky wig and wine Wednesday except on a Friday."
  
  Love you both.
  
  From Allen and Joyce Procure and family. Nov 25, 2011
• Our sincerest condolences. We saw Ron just before leaving for Arizona and received his usual response to our "how are ya?" "Finer than frog's hair."
  
  We'll miss his smiling face in the neighborhood.
  
  Bruce and Jacquie Nov 25, 2011
• Never will a man be missed more than my buddy Ron. I will never forget meeting Ron and Pat when we started our adventure up at Headwaters, from the first moment our families clicked. Never has a friend so impacted my life as Ron did, all the wise advice from everything from family to business and everything in between. Your extreme talent for finding humor in most everything and every situation, your friendship meant so much to us. I love you greatly and will miss you greatly and I promise to watch over our beloved Patsy for you. And by the way, thanks for knocking some sense into me and I hope we all meet again someday.
  
  With much love, Donna Jackson Nov 25, 2011
• Ron and his family will always be a wonderful part of my memories of growing up. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a great love for his family.
  
  My thoughts are with you Pat,
  Shaula and JT Nov 26, 2011
• Ron and I grew up together and have been best friends since we were two-years-old. A great friend, always willing to help in any way he could. We all will miss him. Deepest condolences to Pat and family.
  
  John Clelland, Cambridge Ontario Nov 26, 2011
• We've lost a wonderful and engaging broadcaster, far too soon. I will always remember Ron for his mischievous smile, his sense of humour (particularly in tougher times) and his loyalty to friends.
  
  Dave Calder, Toronto Nov 27, 2011
• The Ron Evans we knew of not even two years, touched our lives in such a profound way and he will be next to impossible to forget. While we were renovating our cottage he visited in his neighborly fashion, expertly drawing us into friendship with his dry sense of humour, making up funny anecdotes and hilarious analogies. He made up funny names for everyone & everything. These behaviors we found ourselves adopting and passing them on to our children and friends. We remember his multi-coloured lips smiling at us only a couple of months ago, while he was filling balloons with paint for us to "make physchodellic art" with his BB gun. We remember the wig party, he insisted we stand on chairs to receive the Olympic medals for winning the plate throwing competition. We remember his generosity; presenting us with stain, S-hooks, whatever we needed, also gifting a beautiful driftwood art piece he fashioned himself which we will treasure, we remember his complimentary curiosity about everything renovation and giving us hints and tips spreading his enthusiasm. We remember the very gentleness and loving persona, his beaming smile and sparkly blue eyes while tending to the squirrels and birds, admiring the homes he made for all of them.
  
  We remember Ron Evans touched our hearts.
  
  David & Joy Wooldridge
  Nov 27, 2011
• Dear Ron: Ours was a short but fun encounter as we traveled together on a bus tour last Christmas. We enjoyed your cheerfulness, the great conversations we had, and above all, your non-stop great sense of humor. You will be missed.
  
  Doc and Diane Fleming. Nov 27, 2011
• I had the opportunity to get to know Ron for awhile in the mid-90s. A highlight of that was spending several days "in the river" at the Merritt Mountain Music festival in 1995, and subsequently hosting him at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton in 1996. He offered me a job once and I have always regretted that I was not in a position to take it. He was a fun, class act -- full of common sense and wit .. Ron truly was the Okanagan's very own. I am very sad to hear of this news. Ron was a highlight in my life.
  
  Lloyd Lewis Nov 28, 2011
• Ron,
  
  I will miss you greatly. You were a fantastic boss and a wonderful friend. When you were President of CHBC Television, you treated us all like family. And it was one big happy family because of you. Nov 28, 2011
• Ron, I can't believe you're gone. Kirsten and I had hoped to see both you and Pat in Parksville early in the New Year. First you were a client and then you became a close and treasured friend. We were kindred spirits with the same zany sense of humour and zest for life. The times we spent at your cabin will forever be among the best experiences in my life. You and Pat were always so welcoming and entertaining. The BB gun - balloon painting were unique and wonderful experiences - my fleece jacket still has paint on it from the time that one of the paint filled balloons exploded in my face when I tried to adjust its location on the board.
  
  I've often thought that you should publish a coffee table book of your collection of bird houses. I'm convinced that it would be a huge success among those who think outside of the box. Pat, Shaula and Jate - our deepest sympathy goes out to all of you at this difficult time in your life. Your husband/dad's passing will leave a huge hole in your lives.
  
  I'm glad to hear that he didn't suffer at the end and that you will forever be enriched by the memories that he left behind. He was "one in a million" - creative, supportive, loving and fun to be around.
  
  We will miss him.
  
  Lots of love to all of you - I'll see you on Saturday.
  
  Hart and Kirsten Pfortmueller Nov 30, 2011
• Whenever I saw Mr. Evans he never failed to call me his pet name the "Exxon Valdez" and, believe it or not, I never got sick of it! We have many happy memories of "South Kelowna" days and fondly remember his big belly laugh and his notorious antics. He will be missed.
  
  Mrs. Evans, Shaula and JT you are in our hearts and thoughts. We are so sorry for your loss and wish we could be there with you.
  
  Love,
  Bert and Val Dease (his little oil slick) Dec 1, 2011
• So many good memories from the County pine days. So sorry for your loss. We will keep you in our prayers
  
  From Ernie, Karen, Heidi and Kim Arend families Dec 1, 2011
• Hi Patti & family,
  
  Haven't seen you for a very long time and was quite shocked to see Ron's obituary! I'm never too saddened by any of us leaving here for the Heavenly Realm, but I am deeply sorry for your loss Patti. Thank God for your awesome sisters. I will always remember "The Pisteen Crapel" with a smile.
  
  Love & kisses & hugs & misses,
  
  Dawn (Bryant) Cranston (CERAMICS) Dec 12, 2011

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