Floyd Lee Evans

He leaves behind a lifetime of memories, a legacy of service, and a family who was the greatest source of pride and joy in his life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 16, 2026, at the Walnut Woods State Park Lodge, 3155 SE Walnut Woods Drive, with an open house beginning at 1:00 p.m. and a program at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Lee’s favorite organizations: Skydog Ranch & Sanctuary (https://www.skydogranch.org/donate) or Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (https://friendsofcumbrestoltec.org/product/donations/).

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Carol (Gayman) Evans. He also leaves behind his children: Dave, and his wife Michelle, and grandsons Hunter and Colby; Mark, and his wife Margaret, and grandson Zane; and Sharon, and her husband Derek. As an avid animal lover, Lee also enjoyed his “granddogs” Josie, Scout, and Archie.

Lee was born on August 4, 1940, in Des Moines, Iowa, to parents who shaped the foundation of the man he would become. His early childhood was marked by both love and loss. His parents were married in 1936 and had his older sister, Sharon Kay, in 1937. Sharon passed away as a child in 1944. His father, a talented pilot and flight instructor, was killed on Lee’s second birthday in 1942 while training World War II Army Air Corps cadets in Spencer, Iowa. Lee’s mother raised him through difficult years, and he was surrounded by the support and guidance of his grandparents, whose farm and family traditions became some of his most cherished childhood memories.

Much of Lee’s childhood was spent at his grandparents’ 90-acre farm near Des Moines. There, he learned the value of hard work and developed lifelong passions for animals, the outdoors, horses, hunting, fishing, and farming. He often recalled helping with chores, caring for animals, harvesting crops, putting up hay, and exploring the farm with his beloved dog Dutch by his side. Those years created some of his happiest memories and shaped his appreciation for simple pleasures and family traditions.

Lee attended Oak Park Elementary, Perkins Elementary, Franklin Junior High, and North High School, graduating as part of the first full-year graduating class from the new North High School building. He maintained lifelong friendships from those years and often spoke fondly of the people who shared his early adventures.

One of Lee’s lifelong interests was rodeo. His fascination began as a young boy after attending a rodeo in Madrid, Iowa, and meeting rodeo competitor Jack Buschbaum, a cousin of his grandmother and world champion bareback rider. His love of rodeo continued throughout his life, and he enjoyed attending events and sharing that passion with others.

In 1960, Lee met the love of his life, Carol Ann Gayman. Their story began with a chance meeting at a Safeway grocery store, where Lee struck up a conversation with the pretty blonde checkout girl. They quickly became inseparable, building a relationship filled with laughter, adventure, and love. They married on April 25, 1964, at St. John’s Church and began a marriage that lasted more than 62 years.

Together, Lee and Carol built a beautiful family. They raised three children: David, Mark, and Sharon. Their home was filled with love, activity, pets, camping trips, family projects, and countless memories. Lee cherished being a father and later a grandfather. He was immensely proud of his three grandsons, Hunter, Colby, and Zane, and considered it a privilege and honor to be part of their lives.

Lee spent many years creating memories with his family — camping trips, hunting and fishing adventures, trips to the mountains, visits to rodeos and racetracks, helping with school activities, supporting his children’s interests, and building a cabin and caring for our land in southern Iowa that became another special place for family gatherings. He especially loved the outdoors and often said, “The mountains were calling.” The many family vacations to Estes Park, Colorado, were especially memorable, including backpacking with Carol and the kids through the Rockies (sometimes with Sharon in a pack on his back) climbing the Alluvial Fan, playing in the many creeks and streams, and sitting by warm campfires under the beautiful night sky.

Service was a major part of Lee’s life. He proudly served in the United States Army Reserve from 1961 until his retirement in 1994, rising from Private E-2 to Chief Warrant Officer W-4. During his military career, he served with numerous units, including the 103rd Infantry Division, 103rd Support Brigade, 830th Station Hospital, and US Army Reserve School. His service allowed him to travel across the country and gave him a deep sense of pride and accomplishment. He often reflected that while his military commitment was challenging for his family at times, it was a meaningful and rewarding part of his life.

Lee also dedicated many years to civilian service with the United States Army Reserve at Fort Des Moines. He began working there in 1966 and continued until his retirement in 1995. Throughout his career, he held positions of increasing responsibility and supervised others, always taking pride in doing his job well and supporting those around him.

After his first retirement, Lee continued to stay active. He worked with AmerUs Bank and Discount Mortgage/Simplicity Mortgage, assisted at Simpson Stables caring for his horses over the years (Gwen, Ember, and Skipper), and found ways to remain involved and helpful. He was someone who was always willing to lend a hand.

Lee and Carol enjoyed their retirement years traveling, especially to Colorado and other western destinations. Their trips created treasured memories, including adventures to North Carolina, Arizona, and historic railroad journeys (Cumbres and Toltec Railroad plus the Durango and Silverton Railroads). Above all, Lee treasured the life he and Carol built together.

He described Carol as “the solid cornerstone of this family,” and his love and admiration for her were evident to everyone who knew them. Their partnership was the foundation of a family built on love, perseverance, and commitment.

Floyd Lee Evans will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, proud soldier, hardworking provider, storyteller, outdoorsman, and friend. His legacy lives on through the family he loved so deeply and the many lives he touched along the way.