Cowlitz County WA Archives Obituaries.....Evenson, Neal C.  June 15, 2005
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
P. J. Stepp steppmom5@hotmail.com June 26, 2006, 6:55 pm

Published in The Daily News on 6/22/2006.     www.tdn.com
 	 

Neal C. Evenson,devoted father and husband, World War II Veteran, long-time 
Longview businessman, and friend to all,  passed away peacefully on June 15th, 
2006 at Community Home Health and Hospice in Longview with family at his side. 

Neal was 83 years old. Neal was born on August 11, 1922 in Kalispell, Montana 
to Clarence and Mabel (Lee) Evenson. He attended Flathead High School, where he 
cut a swath playing piano in a traveling dance band and in a German polka band. 
After graduating, Neal attended the University of Idaho, where he joined the 
Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In 1941, Neal moved to Longview to work for 
Bonneville Power. After moving to Longview, the 19 year old Neal met his future 
bride, Wanda Thornbury while she was still attending R.A. Long High School. In 
1942, like so many other young men of his generation, Neal responded to the 
call to duty and enlisted in the Army Air Corps (later to become the Air 
Force). Following Basic Training at Ft. Lewis, he was assigned to the Air Corps 
base in Chico, California. Three months after reporting to Chico, Neal returned 
to Longview on a three-day pass, where he and Wanda, who was working for 
Pacific Northwest Bell, exchanged wedding vows on February 21, 1943 – just 
three days after Wanda's nineteenth birthday -- at the Longview First Christian 
Church. In 1944, Neal was assigned to Williams Field in Chandler, Arizona, 
where he trained future P-38 fighter pilots using the Link Trainer, an early 
flight-control simulator. Wanda accompanied Neal on this assignment and worked 
in the base post office.After his discharge from the Air Force in 1945, Neal 
and Wanda moved back to Longview where he co-founded the Pioneer Insurance 
Agency. After selling that company, Neal joined the Pacific Pioneer Insurance 
Agency, where he worked to meet the insurance and risk management requirements 
of some of the area's premier businesses, and the family coverage needs of many 
area residents. He retired in 1994 at the age of 72.In 1949, Wanda gave birth 
to their first child, daughter Christine, followed in 1951 by a second 
daughter, Susan and in 1954 by daughter, Joan. Chris lives in Longview, Sue in 
Napa, California with husband John Ray, and Joan in Skamokawa. In addition to 
his wife, Wanda and three daughters, Neal is survived by his sister, Phloris of 
Spokane, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.In 1954, Neal and Wanda 
bought a cabin on Lake Merwin, where the family spent summers fishing, boating, 
water-skiing and swimming. Neal had a fondness for motorboats and was the 
family's designated water-ski boat driver. He amazed friends and family with 
fancy driving maneuvers in his mahogany Century inboard runabout. Neal's love 
for flying never waned, and in 1961 he earned his private pilot license. He 
also loved cars, and over the years owned a succession of interesting vehicles, 
including a number of convertibles, in which he enjoyed taking his family on 
car trips. Neal was a regular twice-a-week golfer at the Longview County Club 
where he and Wanda have been members since 1954. He also enjoyed playing the 
piano and organ, dancing with Wanda, reading and taking care of the maintenance 
of the his homes and prized vehicles. He spent his retirement years taking 
occasional car trips with Wanda, messing up his computer, and making countless 
trips up and down Columbia Heights Road running endless errands (which were 
often excuses to visit his many friends and acquaintances around town). Neal 
also was a member of BPOE 1514 for over thirty years, and a member of the Lions 
Club. During the 65 years Neal lived in Longview, he formed many deep and 
lasting relationships in the community and will be missed by all. He is 
remembered by family and friends as a dashing young man, devoted husband and 
father, successful businessman, an excellent handyman, a bit of a prankster 
with a friendly smile for everyone and never an unkind word about anyone. He 
loved his life, his family and his friends. He lived a good life and will be 
missed. Godspeed Neal. Arrangements are under the direction of Green Hills 
Crematory & Cemetery. 



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