Jeffrey Louis Evans

Dr. Jeffrey Louis Evans passed away peacefully on September 25, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. He was born October 30, 1956, on Barksdale Air Force Base, the son of Floyd “Bud” Newton Evans, Jr. and Bernice Geneva Flores. Upon completion of his father's military service with the United States Air Force, the Evans family moved to DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, where they established a dairy farm and raised their family of thirteen children.

Growing up on the family farm instilled Jeffrey with the values of hard work, perseverance, and service to others. Farm life demanded dedication, long (and early) hours, and a willingness to put the needs of others first, qualities that would guide him throughout his life. Following in the footsteps of his mother, who devoted her life to nursing and caring for others, Jeffrey chose a career in medicine and became a general practitioner. He dedicated his professional life to caring for the families of DeSoto Parish and the surrounding region, often treating multiple generations of the same family over the course of his four-decade long career.

For Jeffrey, medicine was more than a profession; it was a calling. Known for his bedside manner, and practical wisdom, he approached every patient with dignity, respect, and genuine concern. Over the years, Jeffrey formed lasting friendships with the physicians, nurses, and staff of DeSoto Regional Family Medicine, and he cherished the camaraderie, mutual respect, and sense of purpose they shared in caring for the health of their community.

His commitment to public service extended beyond his medical practice when he served as Coroner for DeSoto Parish from 2012-2022. In this role he provided leadership and guidance to the community during some of life's most difficult moments. As a heart transplant recipient, Jeffrey carried a profound gratitude for the gift he received through organ donation with special gratitude for the generosity of his donor and the donor's family, and his medical care team at Baylor University Medical Center. Whether practicing medicine, serving as coroner, or helping a neighbor in need, Jeffrey understood that service to others was among life's highest callings.

Despite his demanding career, Jeffrey never lost touch with his agricultural roots. He remained a farmer at heart and found joy in working the land, and spending time outdoors. Hunting was one of his lifelong passions, and some of his happiest moments were spent in the woods and fields of northwest Louisiana with family and friends. As a boy, he was captivated by the pilots he encountered through his father's service with the United States Air Force as well as the crop dusters that soared over the fields of DeSoto Parish. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong fascination with aviation. The dream never faded, and later in life he earned his private pilot's license, taking great pride in joining the ranks of aviators and experiencing from the air the countryside he had known and loved since childhood. Jeffrey was a voracious reader whose curiosity and knowledge knew few bounds; whether studying medicine, history, or aviation he was rarely far from a book and remained a lifelong student of the world near and far. He also rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on the LSU Tigers or the New Orleans Saints. Saturdays in the fall were reserved for LSU football, while Sundays belonged to the Saints, and he celebrated every victory and endured every defeat with the loyalty and optimism of a true fan.

Family was the center of Jeffrey's life. He took immense pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and found great satisfaction in seeing the values of service, education, and compassion carried forward into future generations. He was especially proud that his daughters, Dabney P. Evans and Rachel Evans Salgado, both chose careers in the health professions. Continuing a family tradition that began with their grandmother nursing career and was exemplified through Jeffrey's decades of medical service, they carry forward a legacy of community-focused public health, nursing, and service to others. Nothing gave him greater satisfaction than knowing the commitment to caring for others would continue through the next generation. Known affectionately as "G-Daddy" to his grandchildren, Jeffrey treasured time spent with family, whether gathered around a meal, celebrating holidays, watching football, or simply sharing stories from years gone by.

Jeffrey was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd “Bud” Newton Evans, Jr. and Bernice Geneva Flores; his sister, Lynda Sue Mathis; his brother, Gary Evans; his wife Julie Evans, and other beloved family members who welcomed him into eternal rest.

He is survived by his daughters, Dabney P. Evans and Rachel Evans Salgado; their spouses, Alvaro Garriga and Brandon Salgado; his grandchildren Evan de Lima, Lewis Salgado, Julianna Salgado, and Eva Salgado; and his siblings, Andrew Evans and his wife Marilyn; Paul Evans and his wife Jan; Dennis Evans and his wife Carol; Michael Evans and his wife Peggy; Mary Golden and her husband Roger; Rebecca “Becky” Evans; Theresa Griffiths and her husband Derek; Patricia Koch and her husband Michael; John Evans and his wife Lora; Angela “Angie” Morrison and her husband John; together with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

Jeffrey's life was defined by family, medicine, and service. As a physician, farmer, outdoorsman, public servant, and devoted family man, he touched countless lives throughout DeSoto Parish and beyond. His legacy lives on in the patients he cared for, the community he served, and the family he loved so deeply. He will be remembered for his bounty of knowledge, compassionate medical practice, and unwavering commitment to helping others.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the many prayers, acts of kindness, and expressions of sympathy received during this time. Though he will be deeply missed, his example of service and devotion will continue to inspire all who knew him.