Ulric "Art" Evans

Ulric Elwood Art Evans was a talented, energetic man who lived his life with gusto. He worked hard and played just as hard. His interests spanned the race track and dance floor, the bowling ally and a singing group. Art liked to have a good time, but above all, he loved his children and the time he spent with them. Ulric was born at a time when American families were trying to make a life for their children amid the hardships of the Depression. Despite the challenges, Jessie L. and Sybil (Walker) Evans of Muskegon, Michigan, were delighted by the birth of their son, Ulric Elwood, on February 6, 1934. Ulric, better known as Art, grew up with his sisters, Alazada and Jessie Lee, in Muskegon Heights, where he attended Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School and then Muskegon Heights High School. He gained valuable experience working as a cook in a restaurant before joining the U.S. Army. Not surprisingly, he served as an army cook during his time in the military. After his discharge, Art returned to Muskegon and soon found work at the General Motors Plant on 36th Street in nearby Grand Rapids. In the 32 years he worked as a crane operator at GM, Art made many friends. Among his many activities, Art and his fellow GM employees bowled on a league which, being an avid bowler, was right up his ally. While working at GM, Art had a part time job at a Standard Oil Gas Station in Grand Rapids. He was a professional and recreational mechanic, who used his skills to soup-up muscle cars that he loved to race. He took them to the drag races at Martin Dragway and won several trophies. When he retired from GM in 1989, Art kept himself busy with his passion for cars. When Arts racing days eventually came to an end, he took up motorcycles. He liked the big cruising bikes like Kawasakis, Hondas and Harleys, which he could identify just by their sound. He became a member of several Motorcycle Clubs Wind Jammers, Soul Survivors, NapTown Riders and Strong Riders and went on many trips with them all over the country. He totally embraced the biker lifestyle, wearing his tough image right along with the leather colors of the clubs and his nickname Bad News. Art was always ready for a good time that he shared with friends and family. Over the years, he married several times and had many children. Still, he worked hard to keep a relationship with all of his children and tried to make sure they all had relationships with each other. Art truly loved his children and was active in their lives. Trips to places like Cedar Point Amusement Park were just a few of the memorable times they shared. Art had a talent for singing and dancing. He sang in a group for a time, was a very talented whistler, and developed a signature dance style that he performed whenever he was out on the floor. In later years, one of his sons learned to imitate Arts dance moves, which were always good for a few laughs. Arts children also called him the Gadget King, because he liked to mail order stuff like Swiss army knives and other special tools. They jokingly said he tried to fix everything with Super Glue. Arts family was very dear to him, especially when his health began to decline. The years started taking a toll on his body, and in 2007 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Try as he might, the diseased proved too much for Art to fight. With family gathered around Art in his final hours, the Rev. Charles Poole began to talk and pray. In that time, the family sensed lifes ills leaving Arts body and he was finally at peace. Shortly after God called him home on June 19, 2008 at the age of 74. Of all the joys in his life, Arts children were his greatest delight. His beloved family includes his sons, Ulric Evans Jr., Darrell Evans, Khi Evans, John Wesley Evans (Covington), Gary Gibson, Derecko Evans, Geoffery Gibson, Paul Grisham, Mark Irvin, Rashad Evans, Hakeem Evans; his daughters, Maryitha Bennet, Cynthia Evans, Sabrina Melton, Najila Evans, Delores Evans, Karina Mitchell, Destiny Evans; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; favorite aunt, Mary Gladney; significant other, Romella Floyd; best friend, Tex Sullivan. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Frazier. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 28, 2008, 11:00 AM at Bethesda Baptist Church, 575 Getty Street, with Rev. Charles W. Poole officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visitation is Friday, 2-4 and 6-8 PM, with family present at 6 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Memorial gifts to Bethesda Baptist Church are greatly appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.