Joshua Evans, 43, of Shawnee, Kansas (formerly of Champaign, Illinois) - a grateful believer in Jesus Christ - passed away of natural causes on October 9, 2020.

Joshua Lee Evans was born April 20, 1977, the third child of Jim and Cheryl Evans of Canton, Missouri.  In 1980 he moved with his family to West Union, Iowa, where he attended grades K-2. In 1985, the family moved to Champaign, Illinois, where Joshua completed grades 3-12 and graduated from Centennial High School in 1995.  Josh enjoyed band, basketball, football, and wrestling.  He participated in Youth for Christ activities and was a member of Temple Baptist Church.

Josh was awarded a Busey scholarship to attend Parkland College.  In 1997 he received an Associate Degree in Business.  Josh then attended the University of Illinois from 1997-2000, where he graduated with honors with a B.S. in Kinesiology.  Throughout college Josh was active in many social, athletic, and Christian organizations.

In 2001, Josh moved to Boulder, Colorado, where he worked as a physical therapy assistant before attending graduate school at the University of Colorado, earning a Master's Degree in Kinesiology in 2003.  While in Colorado he met, courted, and on December 28, 2002, married Miss Erin Baker in Lawrence, Kansas.

Josh and Erin lived and worked in the Kansas City area, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Shawnee, Kansas.  At the time of his death, Josh was the territory manager for Diatherix Eurofins.  Josh and Erin are the proud parents of Brayden (13), Chase (10), and Camille (5).

Josh's passion was for his family.  He delighted in sharing their experiences - attending practices, sporting events, concerts, and other activities the children participated in.  Josh was also an avid reader of the Bible and Christian texts.  He was active in the Celebrate Recovery program sponsored by Lenexa Baptist Church.  He loved people, and was happiest when he was helping others.

Josh is survived by Erin, Brayden, Chase, and Camille Evans of Shawnee, Kansas; his parents Jim and Cheryl Evans of Urbana, Illinois; his sister Jennifer Evans of Chicago, Illinois; his brother Ben Evans of Urbana, Illinois; and his paternal grandmother, Jodie Evans of Monroe City, Missouri.  He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Donnis and Gladys Rice and his paternal grandfather Jack Evans.

Visitation and Services

A visitation will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at the Lenexa Baptist Church in Lenexa, Kansas, followed by a service at 11:00 am.  State of Kansas and Johnson County COVID 19 restrictions will be observed.

A celebration of life will be held in Champaign, Illinois, in the spring.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Lenexa Baptist Church Celebrate Recovery program