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Evan McAllister - 1/27/2011
Class of 1953
Evan McAllister Kanab, Utah Evan Burton McAllister our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather returned to his Father in Heaven on Thursday, January 27, 2011, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. (The tough old cowboy would never admit he was hurting until it was too late.)
Dad was born on July 30, 1934 in Kanab, Utah to Burton Junior McAllister and Laura Robinson McAllister. He married Joyce Jackson in the Salt Lake Temple on September 11, 1958. They raised five children, Marcy (Rod) Hadean, Draper, UT, Monica (Scott) Fielding, Sandy, UT, Mark B. (Jamie) McAllister, Heber, UT, Matthew J. (Andrea) McAllister, Highland, UT and Michele (Afa) Vasi, Cedar City, UT. He graduated from Kanab High and served as an LDS missionary in the Southwest Indian Mission. He served the church in many capacities from Boy Scout Leader to Bishopric counselor and High Councilor. Evan was proud of his pioneer heritage and was a long time member of the Sons of Utah Pioneers.
After marrying, Dad and Mom both attended schools in Provo where Dad became a diesel mechanic at Provo Technical College. They finished their schooling and moved back to Kanab to make their home. (They built two homes working together with their family.) Dad worked at Kaibab Industries as a mechanic, then bought his own Peterbilt truck and hauled lumber for them. One thing he was proud of was helping to build the Glen Canyon Dam from start to finish working on a drill rig in the river at first, and finishing as a carpenter in the power plant.
Dad farmed and ranched with his father-in-law Elmer Jackson on the Kaibab Mountain and the Arizona Strip and later purchased EJ Cattle Ranch from the family. He worked for Energy Fuels and Petrosource Transportation. He also operated his own backhoe and served the community. Dad loved his own mini ranch and orchard of seven acres that surrounds his home. It has plenty of room to grow crops, raise animals and house his many toys: farm equipment, Peterbilts, trailers, and boats. It especially has room for his 18 grandchildren to explore, work and play on.
Dad always enjoyed having jeeps and later, 4 wheelers. He was active in the local ATV Club, and greatly enjoyed his many rides in the surrounding country. He was always looking for an opportunity to get out and enjoy the ride with friends and family, making friends wherever he went. Dad always looked forward to having the whole family together for the holidays and loved seeing them come (as much as he loved seeing them go!) Those who knew him got a good dose of teasing as he was always quick with a smile and a joke. Dad would help anyone in need. He will leave a big void in our family that will never be filled.
Dad was preceded in death by his parents Burton and Laura McAllister and brother Norman. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, five children, 18 grandchildren and 1.5 great grandchildren; siblings: Gloria McAllister (wife of Norman), Pleasant Grove, UT, Ada (Burton) Judd, Fredonia, AZ, Marvin (Marilyn) McAllister, Kaysville, UT and Bonnie (Rich) Lewis, St. George, UT.