Clarence Lee “Pee Wee” Evans, 67, Paola, died Feb. 17, 2012, at his home.

Pee Wee was born at the White House Nursing home in Paola on Jan. 14, 1945, to Clarence Edward and Helen Bennett Evans. Being five pounds at birth, his aunt nicknamed him Pee Wee. His father was in the Battle of the Bulge and died the day after Pee Wee was born.

His mother later married Doyle Sivils who raised him as a son. He grew up in Paola and graduated from Paola High School in 1964. He then attended Barber College in Kansas City, Mo., and graduated in June 1965. He worked as a barber at the A.D. Metcalf Barber Shop in Paola for two years.

He served his country with the United States Army from 1966 until he was honorably discharged in 1968. He was stationed in Freedomburg, Germany, the same place as Elvis Presley. While in the military, he was a medic.

On June 12, 1976, he was united in marriage to Shelia McDowell. They were married at the United Presbyterian Church in Paola. They made their home in Paola and became the parents of one son, Matthew Lee Evans.

He was employed by Taylor Forge in Paola for 42 years as a welder. He was a member of the Boilermakers.

He was a member of the Lighthouse Presbyterian Church in Paola. He was also a 42-year member of the American Legion as well as the Eagles and VFW, all in Paola.

He had several hobbies. He hunted in his younger years and also enjoyed boating and fishing. He was very athletic. The first touchdown at the new high school stadium was scored by Pee Wee in 1963. He stayed in shape by lifting weights, riding his bicycle, and had recently taught himself to golf. Barbecuing and sitting in his backyard were two other favorite pastimes. He was voted Paola Panther King in 1964, and according to Pee Wee, he won by one vote, the winning vote being that of his sister. His dream was to one day build a park in the woods where kids could go camping.

He enjoyed planting flowers and tomatoes in the spring. He was a very good gardener.

He is survived by his wife, Shelia, and son, Matthew, of the home; his brother, Lawrence Evans of Ottawa; and two sisters, Shirley Seck of Paola and Jane Powell of Paola.

Arrangements are by Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, KS 66071, (913) 294-2372. To leave condolences for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelPaola.com.

Services were Tuesday, followed by burial in the Paola Cemetery. Ray Pope, Joe Alagna, Jim Seck, Kevin Evans, Gene Weaver and David Lee served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Harry Fickel, Harvey Brocker, Tommy Taylor, Charles Chilcote, Leon Hermrick and Paul Huettenmueller.

Memorials are to the Pee Wee Evans Memorial Fund.