Obituary of John Nicholas Evers

John “Nick” Nicholas Evers, age 76, died peacefully after a 7-year-long, courageous battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. As was his wish, he passed surrounded by his daughter, son-in-law, and 5 beloved grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of almost 46 years, Lynda (Egbert) Evers, daughter Mindy (Joe) Celentano, brother William Evers, grandchildren Joey, Jack, Emma, Cate and Kolbe, and many nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his parents William and Eileen O’Neill Evers, and sisters Judy and Kathleen.

Nick was born in San Diego, California, the youngest of 4 children and enjoyed all that southern California had to offer. He was a boy scout and played football at St. Augustine High School. In 1970, he enlisted in the US Army and for 3 years served our country in Korea. Upon honorable discharge to further his career, he went on to study City and Regional Planning at Cal Poly State in San Luis Obispo and later attended Michigan State University for a master’s degree in urban planning. It was there in Michigan that he met his beloved wife, Lynda. They married on July 7, 1976 and settled down in Northern Michigan. A year later, they welcomed their only child, Mindy. They moved from Gaylord to Traverse City to Kalamazoo where they finally planted roots for nearly 20 years.

Nick worked as an Urban Redevelopment Planner for many years before relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina. Wanting nothing more than to be with his daughter and her growing family, Nick and Lynda moved from Charlotte to Woodbridge, Virginia where Nick finished off his career as the Zoning Administrator of Prince William County before retiring in 2015. Shortly after his retirement, Nick discovered that he had Lymphoma and began the 7-year fight for his life.

Nick had grand ideas of spending his retirement on the golf course, spending time on Beaver Island, traveling back to visit family in California, and watching his beloved Padres, Chargers and Spartans on TV. But God had other plans and as a strong man of faith, he accepted His plan and fought the cancer every step of the way, with immense faith in the Sacred Heart and his Blessed Mother.

His faith was of the utmost importance to him, and Nick was often found at daily Mass at St. Theresa Catholic Church, praying a Rosary, whispering the Divine Mercy Chaplet, or quietly saying the sign of the cross. It is with this profound devotion that we are confident that Nick was welcomed home into the arms of our Heavenly Father with no hesitation.

Only second to his Catholic faith, was Nick’s undying and overwhelming love of his family. As his beloved wife battled Alzheimer’s, he lovingly cared for her, even while sick himself, for as long as he possibly could. Moving her into memory care was the most difficult decision he ever had to make, and he visited her as often as possible. But it was his grandchildren Joey, Jack, Emma Cate and Kolbe who brought him the most joy. He only missed basketball and softball games when his health did not allow him to attend, and he would brag about their accomplishments to anyone who would stand still long enough to listen. They were his light, and he fought hardest for them.

The hole in our hearts is bigger than the sun but we live with faith that we will be reunited with our beloved “G-man” in eternity. And that he is whole and pain-free and rejoicing with our Lord.