Jean Joseph (J.J.) Evers

Jean Joseph (J.J.) Burken Evers of El Paso, passed away peacefully at home Monday, October 30, 2023, at the age of 97.

J.J. was born September 17, 1926, in Minneapolis, MN. He was raised in Clinton, Iowa, and graduated from Clinton High School in 1945. He played on the undefeated football team in 1941 that was ranked first in Iowa. After high school he was drafted into the army and sent to Camp Robinson, AK where he became a member of the 125th Infantry Battalion, training for the invasion of Japan. Once Japan surrendered, he was transferred to a Military Police School and was assigned to the headquarters of the Quartermaster Corp in Frankfurt, Germany. At the time of his discharge in 1947, he had reached the rank of sergeant.  J.J. then enrolled in Drake University on the GI Bill. He met a coed named Darlene when both of them were attempting to get a black gumball from a penny machine. After a few months, they fell in love, and wedding plans were made.  On June 5, 1949, he married Darlene Maher at the First Methodist Church in Oelwein, Iowa.  J.J. graduated from Drake University in 1951 and received his Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts. He accepted an invitation to teach at Los Alamos High School in Los Alamos, NM when it was a closed city. The following year they moved to Albuquerque for Darlene to complete her master’s degree at UNM. Once Darlene graduated they moved to New Haven, Connecticut so J.J. could begin post-graduate work at the Yale University School of Drama. While attending Yale, J.J. had the principal role in the Shakespeare play “Merry Wives of Windsor”, which CBS television telecast on Masterpiece Theatre in January 1954.

In 1957 the couple returned to Albuquerque where J.J. began his career in the oilfield and chemical industry with Edmunds Chemical which was later renamed SEC. This company was later acquired by UGI and J.J. was named Vice President of Business Development, Carbon Dioxide division. Over the next 10 years, J.J. and Darlene had four daughters and in 1968 the family moved to El Paso, Texas due to a job transfer. In 1982, J.J. and Darlene moved to Dallas for one more job transfer. He retired in 1985 but continued as a consultant for multiple companies for several years.

After retiring, they moved back to their beloved New Mexico and began exploring New Mexico’s many wonders.  J.J. volunteered for the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau at the airport tourist information booth for over 10 years and was selected as Hospitality Volunteer of the Year in 2001. He was an active member of the Visitors Bureau “Enchanters” and represented Albuquerque at state and national conventions for several years.

J.J. was an active member at First United Methodist Church and Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, Grace United Methodist Church in El Paso, and Lovers Lane Methodist Church in Dallas. He was on several committees in the New Mexico Conference for the United Methodist Church.

Their love of New Mexico and their 4 girls was no match for their love for each other. They were married for over 73 years. Inscribed in their wedding rings was “Forever and Ever” and now they are together for eternity.

J.J. was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene Evers. He is survived by daughters and spouses: Aundie and Peter Rogo, Kristin and Corey Haugland, Robin and Ron Castagno, Michele and Randy Stehling; 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Faith Hospice for their love and excellent care.

Memorials may be made to the theatre department at Drake University (https://alumni.drake.edu/theatre)  or a charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life service is Saturday, December 16, 2023, 4:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Methodist Church, 5005 Love Road, El Paso, 79922. A reception will follow at the church.