Timothy Sears Evans

Timothy Sears Evans, age 76, passed away May 21, 2026 after a battle with CJD, a rare neurological disease.

He was born September 13, 1949 in San Francisco, California where he was adopted by Sears and Joyce Evans. The Evans family then moved back to Utah where Timothy attended Ensign Elementary School, Bryant Junior High, and West High School where he served as Senior Class President.

From 1969 to 1971 he served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Andes-Peru Mission. During this time, he became fluent in Spanish and developed a deep love for the people of Latin America. This was also when the seeds of his future humanitarian efforts took root in his heart.

After returning from his mission, he married his childhood sweetheart, Melissa Cannon, on June 2, 1972 in the Salt Lake Temple.

He graduated from the University of Utah and then attended the University of the Pacific Dental School where he received his D.D.S.

Dr. Evans established his dental practice in Salt Lake City, providing trusted and compassionate dental care for many patients over the span of three decades. In 1982 he started his humanitarian work by organizing the Andean Children’s Foundation which helped provide clean water to villages in Bolivia. He later co-founded CHOICE Humanitarian with Jim Mayfield which expanded the reach of humanitarian projects to other countries around the world.

Dr. Evans was awarded the Meritorious Service Award from Rotary International, the Utah Quiet Pioneer Award, and the Valley Forge Freedom Award for his humanitarian work. In 1998 he received the Utah Dental Association’s Distinguished Service Award for his outreach programs in Peru and Mexico, and in 2002 he received the Distinguished Alumni Recognition from the University of Utah.

An important part of his life was his service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in several bishoprics, on the High Council in the Kamas Utah Stake, and later as the bishop of the Oakley Ward. He was a gifted teacher and speaker; blessing many with his deep understanding of the scriptures.

From 2003-2006 Tim and Melissa served as the Mission Leaders of the Mexico Monterrey West Mission where they grew to love the many wonderful and dedicated missionaries under their care.

From 2010-2012 Tim and Melissa served as directors of the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center in San Diego, California.

Dr. Evans also worked in Central America, Mexico, and Peru to help people establish micro-enterprises. These programs became a model for the Self-Reliance Services program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Tim served as a consultant for these programs and as a Church-Service Missionary until 2017.

From 2013 to 2026 Tim served on the board of Industrial Supply Company which was founded by his grandfather Rudy Orlob. Tim was always grateful to be part of the Evans family and the Orlob legacy.

Although his family is very proud of all he accomplished through his humanitarian work, Tim did not feel that he deserved awards or recognition. He believed that as a follower of Christ it was his duty to help those in need.

His favorite quote was “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was duty. I acted and behold, duty was joy.”

He shared this joy with his family and friends, taking them on many adventures around the world to build wells, greenhouses, medical clinics, and schools for communities in need.

His family also shared in his adventures close to home which included camping and jeeping in Moab and Canyonlands, sitting by the campfire listening to him play his favorite hymns on his harmonica, and spending time together at the ranch in Oakley.

One of his most valued achievements was being the best dad in the world to his five daughters. He also loved riding horses in the mountains with his wife Melissa, and in his later years he enjoyed taking his grandchildren on rides in his 6-wheeler and side-by-side.

His greatest joy of all was his testimony of Jesus Christ and the knowledge that happiness, love, and family do not end with death.

Timothy is survived by his wife: Melissa Cannon Evans of Oakley, Utah and their five daughters: Melanie (Ruben) Mendez; Emily (Nathan) Smith; Allison (Dave) Scott; Jennifer (Mark) Hsiao; Amanda Marie (Brian) Porter; eighteen grandchildren; brothers Rick and Randy (Teri); sisters Christine (Vern) Morris and Anne (Ira) Burgess.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents Sears and Joyce Evans, and by his infant son Aaron Evans.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. in the LDS Stake Center at 3038 UT-32 in Marion, Utah (between Kamas and Oakley). Visiting hours will start at 9:30 A.M. prior to the funeral service.

Visiting hours will also be held on Friday, June 5 from 6:00-8:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Latter-Day Saint Charities philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-services