Jack Wilson Evans
Jack Wilson Evans | |
---|---|
52nd Mayor of Dallas | |
In office April 1981 – 1983 | |
Preceded by | Robert Folsom |
Succeeded by | Starke Taylor |
Personal details | |
Born | August 13, 1922 |
Died | June 5, 1997 | (aged 74)
Resting place | Sachse, Texas |
Nationality | American |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Imogene Sachse Evans |
Children | Roy Gene Evans Craig Evans Jack Evans Jr. |
Occupation | Various |
Military service | |
Branch/service | United States Army Air Corps |
Years of service | 1944-1947 |
Jack Wilson Evans (August 13, 1922 – June 5, 1997) was an American grocer and politician who served as mayor of Dallas, Texas.
Biography
Working from his youth in grocery stores in Dallas, Jack Evans joined the
Evans was kidnapped in February 1978 at the Tom Thumb Corporate Headquarters but escaped when the kidnappers went to collect the $100,000 ransom given by one of his sons, Roy Gene Evans.
Political career
Evans was elected mayor of Dallas in April 1981, collecting 72% of the vote while running against seven other candidates. In a city often suffering from racial and class divisions, Evans strove to be an inclusive mayor. He received criticism for being the first mayor to address a gay and lesbian organization, the Dallas Gay Alliance. The Dallas Morning News reported he told the group, "I'm one who accepts people for what they are, and I want you to make the most of what you are" and that he supported hiring gay police officers and firefighters. After intense criticism from constituents and other city officials[who?] (homosexuality was illegal in Texas at the time), he retracted his support for hiring gay officers.
While mayor, he also acquired the land and spurred development for the future Dallas
Post-mayoral work
He continued to work in a civic capacity in Dallas and the surrounding area after completing his mayoral term, serving as the executive director of
Death
Evans died at his home in 1997 after a long bout with
In 2000, a section of Fairmount Street in downtown Dallas, which runs through the Arts District he helped create, was renamed Jack Evans Street. In March 2003, the new headquarters of the Dallas Police Department was completed. It is named the Jack Evans Police Headquarters in honor of the former mayor.
References
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2009) |
- ^ Simnacher, Joe (June 6, 1997). "Ex-mayor, businessman Jack Evans dies at 74. He had vision for Arts District, sought diversity". The Dallas Morning News.
- ^ "Jack Evans, Former Dallas mayor was dedicated to service". The Dallas Morning News.
- ^ O'Connor, Colleen (January 11, 1987). "Jack Evans, He's the Dallas business executive and civic leader who stands tall behind Tom Thumb". The Dallas Morning News.