CSR Board Member Jerry Evans passes away

Longtime CSR Board Member Jerry Evans, who was the District B director and the board’s former executive vice president and vice president, passed away suddenly on May 30.

A full obituary will be included in the July issue of the California State Retiree newspaper.

In a 2012 interview with the newspaper, Evans said: “We have a wonderful organization with great members. I want to do my best to make things even better.”

He was elected in February 2011 to serve as the District B representative and vice president on the California State Retirees Board of Directors. He was elevated to executive vice president in February 2012 after Susan Sears, who formerly held the job, stepped up to fill the president’s position left vacant by Roger Marxen who decided not to run for a district representative position.    

A member of CSEA since 1972, Evans became a job steward in 1978 and a chief job steward in 1982. As an active employee, he also held the positions of Chapter 726 president and vice chair of the Unit 12 Bargaining Council. He bargained for three contracts while on the team. Additionally, he served as the director of CSEA’s Region XII.

In 2000, Evans retired from Caltrans, ending his 27-year state career. At retirement, he was a lead worker maintaining nearly 500 miles of California roadways.

He immediately joined CSR and served as Chapter 10 president for several years in the San Luis Obispo area.

Evans was born Jerry Gawaine Evans in Mathiston, Mississippi in 1940.

“The middle name is after Sir Gawaine of the Round Table,” Evans said in the Southern drawl he has retained for life.

Sir Gawaine was known for his chivalry, loyalty and honor.  Evans said he aspires to maintain the qualities of his namesake.

“My pledge to the members is that I will do everything I can to protect their CalPERS pension and health care benefits,” he said.

Evans resided in Grover Beach with his wife of more than 50 years, Sharon.

They met while Evans was serving a four-year stint in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Vandenberg. 

When he left the military, Evans tried many jobs, including fire chief in Grover Beach and owning his own flooring company. He landed his Caltrans job in 1972.

Besides Jerry and Sharon, the Evans family also includes three daughters, six grandchildren and several in-laws.