Eston Evans

A Celebration Of Life gathering for Eston E. Evans, PhD, age 82, will be held Saturday, November 12 from 4pm until 6pm at Nick's Restaurant (895 S Jefferson Ave.) in Cookeville.

Our beloved husband & father died on Friday, October 28, 2022. We are a bit lost, because for the last 40 years, Dad gave the eulogy at family funerals. He always spoke elegantly, with the right amount of humor, and stories from the loved one’s past.

He leaves a huge hole in the hearts of his family and friends, who were always entertained by his stories and hilarious sense of humor. Eston truly brought the life to the party. He had a great love of nature, and was happiest outdoors and traveling the world.

Eston was born May 17, 1940 in Palmyra, PA to the late Russell and Mabel Lam Evans. He was a 1958 graduate of Palmyra High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958-1961, at Langley AFB, VA and Karamursel, Turkey, specializing in communications and cryptography.

He earned a bachelor's degree in German in 1958 from Lebanon (PA) Valley College, a master's degree in German from Penn State University in 1975, and his PhD in Germanic language from the University of Texas in 1975. His studies also included studying abroad at American Scandinavian Society/Thord-Gray and Fulbright Travel at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

His career as a professor began at Penn State from 1968-1970. In 1977, he moved to Cookeville where he served at Tennessee Technology University as a professor of German, World Culture and Business, Director of the ESL Institute and Interim Foreign Language Department Chair until his retirement in 2008.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Orville W. Evans, Ronald G. Evans and Larry L. Evans.

Dr. Evans is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Margaret "Peggy" Adele Fehr; his beloved daughter, Jennifer Underwood and husband Matthew of Hixson, TN; much adored grandchildren, Leah, Madelyn and Caleb Underwood; sister, Anita Louise Reed of Raleigh, NC; and by a number of nieces and nephews.

My Dad was beloved by everyone who ever met him; a fantastic father, a great husband and a best friend to all walks of life. No matter the circumstances, you’d always leave with a story of something funny/crazy Eston did while you were with him.

Eston was the most generous, thoughtful & loving man that ever walked the Earth. He would want you to pay it forward ~ help a neighbor, donate to a charity or simply make someone smile. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Tennessee, Cumberland Plateau Office, South Lowe Avenue, Suite I, Cookeville, TN 38501.

Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. Share memories and condolences at hhhfunerals.com.