James R. Evans

James R. Evans, affectionately known as Jim—and to many as “Snave”—passed away on August 11, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was 71 years old. Jim faced many trials throughout his life, from early loss to accidents and health challenges. Through it all, he persevered—never losing his willingness to help others, his ability to listen, his gift for storytelling, his sense of humor, or the quiet strength that made him such a loyal friend to many. He will leave an indelible fingerprint in the lives of all who knew and loved him.

Jim was born on November 12, 1954. He was the youngest of three boys born to William and Betty Evans and was raised in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Tragedy entered Jim’s life early when he lost both of his parents at a young age, just 7 months apart—his mother, Betty when he was 12, followed by his father, William, when he was 13. Following their deaths, the boys moved to Holland, Michigan where they were welcomed into the home of their uncle and aunt Dale and Pat Boeve, alongside cousins Phillip and Lynn. Over time, Jim also lived with his oldest brother, Bill, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and later with the Waldron family in Holland. It was at the Waldron’s where his strong work ethic and love for agriculture began on their blueberry farm.

Jim attended both Ottawa Hills in Grand Rapids and West Ottawa High School in Holland. After graduating in 1973, he attended Hope College. Some of his hobbies included swimming, golf, tennis, snowboarding, cribbage, attending concerts, boating, fishing and “letting the good times roll,” as he would say.

In the early 1970’s, Jim met Annette Smeenge, and there was an instantaneous chemistry between the two of them which began a lifelong journey that endured nearly five decades. Today, that journey is celebrated through their beautiful family: three daughters, three sons-in-law, eight grandsons and one granddaughter.

Jim began his career at Clearbrook Country Club, where his love of golf became his work as well as his recreation. Alongside his father-in-law, “Judd” Smeenge, Jim helped design and develop Clearbrook’s back nine championship course. He later entered the roofing industry with Holland Ready Roofing, spending several years specializing in Trocal and Ruberoid systems. Then after a period of working independently on residential projects, he joined Mihm Roofing, shifting his focus back primarily to commercial roofing.

In 1996, Jim’s life drastically changed forever. While working, Jim fell approximately 18 feet through an unmarked elevator shaft sustaining a catastrophic closed traumatic brain injury. He was transferred by Aero Med to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. On day three his condition was so grave that his family was brought before the Harvest Team and was told there was minimal flow to his brain and his organs were shutting down. There was no hope of recovery and to prepare funeral arrangements. Annette refused to believe that Jim’s story was finished. She replied, “That was unacceptable. Sit back and see what God is going to do!” In the days going forward, Annette was his voice when he couldn’t speak and his eyes when he couldn’t see. He was anointed as scripture says. Then, when the outlook appeared darkest, something changed. A few days later, Jim took two of his own breaths over the ventilator, which showed there was blood flow to the brain. He remained in a coma for 30 days with each day bringing improvements. His family had first been told he would not survive and when he did, they were told he would never meanfully recover. Once he no longer required life-saving care, he was transferred to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was there that he had to re-learn the basic things we take for granted, such as eating, walking, talking, and writing. Step by step, Jim surpassed expectations and milestones throughout his remarkable recovery. His medical chart would later contain a simple but powerful observation: “And then something happened.” For Jim’s family, there has never been any question about what that “something” was. They have no doubt they witnessed a miracle from God.

Approximately five months later, Jim and Annette were invited to attend a professional ethics conference before a panel of over 500 medical professionals from across Michigan. During the meeting, his medical stats were presented as a case study. The objective was for the panel to come to the conclusion that he had died. While hospitalized at Butterworth, Jim had been treated using a clinical trial, placing the patient into a deeper pentobarbital-induced coma—an approach they had sought approval for over the preceding five years. It was then reveled that Jim had survived. He was invited on the stage for a Q&A. Following the presentation, the panel formally approved the protocol for use in traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases, leading to its network across Michigan hospitals, where it remains in practice today. While life changed permanently after the accident, preventing Jim from driving or returning to work as he knew before, it never stopped him from living life to the fullest.

In 2005, he was the victim of a hit-and-run while riding his bicycle, sustaining another serious concussion and clavicle fracture that required yet another hospitalization in Grand Rapids. In 2016, Jim and Annette moved to be closer to their youngest daughter Jessica, son-in-law Paul, and grandson Carter. Even after his resilient journey he was able to reroof their new home. In 2017, Jim suffered another closed-head injury as well as a shattered leg when he was side swiped while riding his bike by someone in a car going 50 mph. Jim was hospitalized in Lansing, Michigan, where he went through multiple surgeries and was then moved to Hope Network for rehabilitation. After almost three months of clinical therapies he was released to continue rehab from the comfort of his own home. Still, Jim persevered. In 2022, he suffered a stroke that profoundly affected his speech and ability to swallow. He ultimately regained 30% of his speech after he was told he would most likely not speak again. After an evaluation at Mary Free Bed, Jim made the decision that he did not want to spend the remainder of his life pursuing continual medical interventions. Instead, he wanted to live each day as fully as he could. And that is what he did for four more years. Through all of it, physicians and therapists were repeatedly struck by Jim’s strength and ability to overcome. He rarely complained. He adapted. He persevered. And in the final years of his life, Jim seemed to find a measure of peace. He made geographical advancements in the medical field that will continue for years to come.

His greatest joys over the last ten years, included flower gardening with Jessica and golfing with Carter. Two passions he had from a young age both involving the outdoors. After everything his body had endured, he could still step onto a golf course, take his clubs in hand, and enjoy the game he had loved for so many years. He often referred to his grip as the “Jesus Grip.” As Jim knew that because of his faith and belief in God, he was sustained this far in life. Those rounds became far more than a scorecard.

Jim’s life had plenty of difficult holes, unexpected hazards, and more than a few bunkers, but he kept walking the course placed before him. Perhaps somewhere along the back nine, the measure of his life became less about the obstacles he overcame and more about how he chose to play the course—and the people who walked it beside him. In many ways, the back nine of Jim’s life can be summed up in nine strategies—not simply for the game he loved, but as lessons for a life well lived:

VISION: Visualize your strong finish.

COMMITMENT: Walk with the True Master - God.

IDENTITY: Know your purpose and the legacy you leave for your family and community.

RELATIONSHIPS: Choose your foursome wisely. Who you associate with is who you become.

PERSPECTIVE: Play one shot at a time.

DISCIPLINE: Stay the course. Keep showing up, keep trying, and keep swinging even when the game gets hard.

SERVICE: Make a positive difference in the lives of others.

ADVERSITY: Deal with the bunkers. Be strong and courageous, no matter what comes your way. Get back up, take the next shot, and keep hitting the ball.

THE FINISH: Review your scorecard. Remember the past and learn from it. Consider the future and plan for it. But live in the present—and enjoy it.

No matter how many times life knocked him down, he found the strength to get back up, take the next shot, and keep moving forward. In the end, his legacy will not be measured by the difficult holes he faced, but by the way he played them—the perseverance he showed, the people he helped along the way, the family and friends he loved, and the faith that carried him through. Jim’s earthly scorecard is now complete, but his family finds comfort in knowing that death does not have the final word. They grip tightly to the blessed hope that this goodbye is only temporary. They look forward to the day when Jesus returns, the trumpets sounds, the graves are opened and Jim hears the call to rise again. Until that day, his family will continue walking the course before them, carrying with them Jim’s stories, his humor, his wisdom, his perseverance, his love of family and friends, his love of golf, and above all, his faith. Rest peacefully, Jim. Your round here is finished. We’ll see you again when the Master calls us home.

Jim is survived by his soulmate, Annette Smeenge Evans; his three daughters, Jessica (Paul) Wehrmeyer, Alison (James) White, and Holly (Ryan) Brady; his grandchildren, Carter Evans-Wehrmeyer, Dylan White, Samantha White, Cody Brady, David Brady, Conner Brady, Zackary Brady, and Justin Brady; his brothers, Bill (Maureen Mirowski) Evans and Joe Evans; his sister-in-law, Dee Smeenge; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, William and Betty Evans; his parents-in-law, Justin “Judd” and Twila Smeenge; his grandson, Caleb D. Keller-Brady; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Samuel (Sandy) Smeenge, Jerry Smeenge, and Shelley (Ken) Taylor; his nephew, Brad Smeenge; his aunts and uncles, Dale (Pat) Boeve, Jim Boeve, Lillian (Connie) Knoll, Monnie (Dean) Bloomers Rice, and Philip Bloomers; as well as several extended family members and dear friends.

A visitation will be held Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Headquarters, 5801 W. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48917.

A graveside service will take place Friday, August 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Pilgrim Home Cemetery, 370 E. 16th St., Holland, MI 49423.

A Celebration of Life will follow the graveside service from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Holland Seventh-day Adventist Church, 11279 E. Ottogan St., Holland, MI 49423.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions in Jim’s honor to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Neurology – Carter’s Penguins with a Purpose, a foundation Jim and his grandson, Carter began in 2013 to benefit children affected by pediatric head injuries.

Donations may be made at: https://p2p.onecause.com/chfwm-memorials-tributes/tribute/carters-penguins-with-a-purpose