Tender Farewell

Yesterday was my nephew, Kurt's funeral. It was a sad day, but comforting and moving day, as well. The circumstances of his death have unfolded as a sad tale of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. As the family found out more about what really happened, they learned that Kurt had spent the afternoon Friday at his son's birthday party. Afterwards the son and Kurt went over to Kurt's apartment to wash the truck. Jackson didn't leave till about midnight, at which time Kurt ran into an acquaintance in the parking lot. She was talking with him when a friend of hers drove up, distraught over a breakup with her boyfriend. They asked Kurt if he would go along with them for a drive. The police say Kurt was not intoxicated, but the women were. He tried at some point on the drive to wrest the keys from the driver, but was unsuccessful. He had his seat belt on in the backseat of the car when it tumbled over the edge of a cliff. The girl that survived was the owner of the car, but not the driver. She was disoriented, but at around 5 a.m. she heard a phone ring. It helped her locate Kurt's cellphone and call 911. It turned out that it was not a phone call, but Kurt's alarm, waking him up for his 20 mile run, training for a marathon this week. A friend of his will be running in his honor instead. The obituary, at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thespectrum/obituary.aspx?n=kurt-evans&pid=160131378#fbLoggedOut, describes the man of integrity we knew Kurt to be.

Annette has two surviving sons and two daughters, as well. They were a tremendous help to her and Kent through this difficult time. Tyler, standing next to his brother's casket, delivered a beautiful address at the funeral. It was heartwarming and beautiful, showing his deep love for his brother, as well as the hope of seeing him again someday.

Kurt's younger brother, Spencer, dedicated the grave, and shared his sorrow with Tyler at the cemetery.

My sisters, Verlene and Barbara, flew out from Denver. The Brady ladies found a shady spot for a picture. They are: Grandma, Verlene, Judea, Joan, Sara, Judy, Barbara and Crystal. Sara is my brother Jon's wife, from Salt Lake City, and my sister Joan and her family live in St. George.

Joan's kids still fit on one bench, but just barely. Mason (left on bottom) just returned a week ago from his mission to Mexico City. It was wonderful to talk with him and hear all about his mission. It was wonderful to be together with so much of our family and enjoy one another's company.