James W. Evans died Jan. 10, 2003, from complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 76 years old.

Born Aug. 5, 1926, in Hollywood, Calif., he graduated from University High School in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1944, and from the University of Washington School of Architecture in 1951.

He served his country for many years as a Reservist and was called briefly to active duty in 1945. In the summer of 1946, he was a smoke jumper for the United States Forest Service in Idaho and Montana. In 1949 he married (Mary) Patricia Brady.

He was employed by NBBJ for more than 40 years as a project manager and principal-in-charge, working on some of their largest projects, including the Kingdome in Seattle; the US Pavilion in Spokane for the 1974 World’s Fair; the Battelle Research Institute, the University of Washington Teaching Hospital Addition in Seattle; the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage; the David Grant USAF Medical Facility at Travis Air Force Base in Calif; the Scottsdale Memorial Hospital in Arizona; and the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Seattle, among others. He retired from NBBJ in 1994.

Mr. Evans was a private pilot who built and owned several small airplanes over the years. Flying was his life-long passion. He was a member of the EAA, Chapter 26, and was involved with the Arlington Air Show for many years. In 1978, he flew his Piper Archer to the Fly-In at Oshkosh, Wis. He also served as an airport commissioner for the Vashon Municipal Airport from 1990 to 1997.

Mr. Evans was actively involved with Group Health Cooperative, dating back to the mid 1960s, when he served on the Central District Executive Committee. In 1972, he was elected to the Board of Trustees and served until June 1979. During his seven and one-half year tenure there, he held various committee chair positions and served two years as president of the board.

Jim and Pat moved their family from Seattle to Vashon Island in 1971, where he enjoyed growing organic vegetables in his garden. He and Pat moved to Sun City West, Ariz., in 1998.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Patricia B. Evans of Sun City West and his six children: Michael and his wife LeAnne of Federal Way, William and his wife Chris of Roseville, Calif., Barbara Johnson and her husband Alan of Snoqualmie, Sandra Didricksen and her husband Jim of Vashon, Kathleen Evans-Nickel and her husband Ed of Phoenix and Jennifer McNaughton and her husband Mike of Redmond, a sister Mary Evans Johnson of Del Mar, Calif., and 12 grandchildren.

Services were in Sun City West, Ariz. Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, 919 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611 or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Md. 20814.

Condolences can be sent to the Evans family, c/o P.O. Box 2596, Vashon, Wash. 98070.