Leslie “Les” Gilbert Evans – August 9, 1943 – July 1, 2021

West Columbia, South Carolina – Leslie (Les) Gilbert Evans, 77, beloved husband, father, Papa, and coach passed away on Thursday July 1, 2021.

Coach Evans was born in New Zion, SC on August 9, 1943 to the late Lois Cantey Evans and Gilbert Wesley Evans. Coach Evans is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Janet Keefe Evans; his son, Mike (Kim) Evans; daughter, Cheryl (Brad) Whittle; and grandchildren, Bryce Evans, Sydney Evans, Parker Whittle, and Graham Whittle. He is also survived by his sisters, Linda Swain and Jean (Robin) Robinson.

He had stops at Eau Claire, Orangeburg Wilkinson and Airport High School. Coach Evans accumulated numerous region titles, Coach of the Year Honors and inductions into the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame and the Airport High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He also served as North-South assistant coach in 1982, and North-South head coach in 1994. He was the South Carolina Shrine Bowl Assistant Coach in 1979, and South Carolina Shrine Bowl Head Coach in 1992.

Even with all his coaching accomplishments he took greater pride in all of the lives he touched during his teaching and coaching career, but his greatest joy in life was the time spent with his family and precious grandchildren. He cherished his time spent with family during family gatherings, and enjoyed fishing trips with his grandchildren, and supporting them at numerous ballgames and cheer competitions.

Les had a deep faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was a long-time member of Springdale Baptist Church where he served as a trustee and chairman of the deacons.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 5, 2021 from 5:00-7:00pm at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC. Funeral service will be on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 3:00pm at Springdale Baptist Church, 357 Wattling Road, West Columbia, SC 29170.