Page 9 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2019- Online Magazine

were born in 1955 and 1958. Jim was gone, sometimes
for six weeks at a time, so Betty did the lion’s share of
the child-rearing. “She was always glad to see me when
I got home,” Jim remembered, and although she was
surely tired, she was “always ready to go out.”

Jim was transferred to Lubbock in 1958 and had a
promising career with Dr. Pepper until a tragic accident New look,
took the lives of its top executives in the mid-60s.
He had been named top salesman seven times at Dr.
Pepper, so his next career move was as sales manager same quality
for the parent company of regional Coca Cola bottlers.
After that, he worked for Bruce Gentry and son Dave,
who own Great Plains Distributors (Coors), from 1969- care you expect
1979. Jim’s grocery experience came in handy when
he became district manager for Foodway stores in
Lubbock, Amarillo and Albuquerque. Next, he bought and trust.
Leroy Deerdorf’s wholesale produce company which
he operated from a warehouse on the South Plains
Fairgrounds just across the street from Stubb’s BBQ at
Broadway and Ave. A. His career culminated with 20
years at the Llano Estacado Winery - first as West Texas
sales manager, then overseeing the tasting room. He Owner/Administrator
retired 13 years ago at age 78. Nancy Kernell, R.N., CHPN
with her mother,
Betty stayed busy with her family. She had worked Lydia Gaitan of Plainview
early in their marriage for a doctor and for Texas
Employers Insurance, but in Lubbock, she volunteered,
among other things as a Cub Scout Den Mother and as
president of Planned Parenthood for a few years. But
the highlight was always dancing. Smiles spread across
both faces as they remembered places like The Lubbock
Club, The Cotton Club and the Country Inn. These
days, you can find Jim and “Miss Betty” at Picoso’s,
the Back 40 Grill, ChancesR and more. They are local
celebrities. Son Bo suffered a tragic car accident that
affected all of them, but he has recovered enough to
accompany his parents dancing often. (He’s also their
chauffeur.) Dancing has not only been fun for the
Evans, but it
has energized
their lives and
kept their love
for each other
young and
fresh. About
his lifelong
dance partner, Serving Plainview, Lubbock
Jim said, “We & Surrounding Counties
fell in love,
and we never Plainview: Lubbock:
fell out.”
806.293.2732 806.368.8039
www.ACHospice.com

Lubbock Senior Link 9