Mr. Evans, Big D, Denn, and Coach are just a few names that are used when referring to our dad, but our favorites are Daddy, Uncle Dennis, Grandpa Dennis and Papa. Our Dad was born to David Parry Evans and Velma “Poolie” Evans. He was blessed to have one brother “Diesel Dave”. Dennis married Sherrie Sweeten in 1970.  After being raised with just one brother, 4 daughters were probably not what he had envisioned, but he rose to the challenge. After attending ISU, Dad started teaching at Malad High School in 1972. He taught History, PE, Health, and probably taught most of Malad how to drive. In 1985, he became a USU Aggie when he went back to school to get his Masters Degree. His love for sports resulted in coaching football, boys and girls basketball, wrestling and, most recently, baseball, where he won two state titles.

As a Teacher, Dad taught us to love history.  We were able to visit Historical sites with the Visions trip, as we saw the monuments and museums in Washington DC and attended Broadway plays in New York. His passion for education was infectious, as all of his daughters currently work in education, two of them at Malad High School.  The kindness he showed his students made each one feel like they were an important part of Malad High School.  Always the jokester, his students kept an eye out for him hiding around the corner waiting to scare them. It was all fun and games until a student brought her favorite teacher some chocolate treats…chocolate covered cotton balls!  

As a coach, Dad instilled in us a love of sports that has been passed on to his grandchildren. He has been their number one fan, whether it involved hours sitting in the hot sun watching baseball, in a stinky gym at wrestling matches, watching hours of volleyball from across the country on Facetime, or countless football and basketball games. He is always there to support his grandkids and encourage them to achieve goals and pursue their dreams. 

As a boss, he taught us responsibility, dedication, how to work hard, and mow a lawn properly.  As we got older Dad started TLC: Total Lawn Care mowing business. It was a great summer job and we loved meeting new people.  We loved Thursdays on Bannock Street and knew that meant lunch at the Drive In. The work was hard but the time spent together was amazing.  

But of all of the parts he has played, the most important (and probably favorite) role is that of Grandpa. The love he has for his 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren is evident in everything he does. From playing games, reading stories, golf cart rides and endless sleepovers, he is always looking for ways to spend time with the grandkids. We’ve taken many trips to Disney, and Dad is always so excited for the core memories to be made, including being talked into riding Rockin Roller Coaster and the Tea Cups, sleeping through It’s a Small World, and the seagull incident at Indiana Jones.  

Some of the boys’ favorite memories from their childhood are trips to the shooting range with Grandpa. Madi loved Rock-Chuck hunting and Beeg remembers the rides on the lawn mower until he purchased the golf cart.  Logan and Pax love the rides up and down the road “driving”.  Hayd loved the time they spent together with Grandpa being his baseball coach, especially trips to Glens Ferry and staying in the creepy clown room! 

No matter what the kids are involved with, whether it’s playing sports, graduating from school, getting new jobs, getting married, having babies or anything else, there is always a phone call telling them “I’m proud of you, Buddy”. They always know how much Grandpa loves them and how proud he is of them.  

We couldn’t have asked for a better dad.  No matter what role he takes on, we were blessed with the best, and we’re so grateful he’s ours! Happy Father’s Day Daddy!