The Reverend Aaron Jay Evans, 49, of Algoma, WI died peacefully on May 30, 2026, after a year and a half spent fighting cancer at Unity Hospice in DePere, WI.
Destined for service to God, Aaron's mother prayed 1 Samuel for God to send her a child that she could give back to God. Aaron was adopted by Robbie Jay Evans (Gladewater, TX-Deceased) and Nancy Ruth Talent (Leggett) (Carthage, TX) shortly after his birth on May 10, 1977, in San Antonio, TX.
While a man of few words himself, his family notes that Aaron gave his life to Jesus Christ by placing his hand on the television with Billy Graham and was baptized soon after at the age of 6 at Northside Christian Center in Carthage, TX. Like his Granddaddy, Aaron rooted the start of his lifelong ministry preaching at 9 years old. He continued preaching, teaching and ministering to God's people until he could no longer work due to illness in January 2026. After receiving his Bachelor's degree from East Texas Baptist University (Marshall, TX), Aaron earned a Masters of Arts from Valparaiso University (Valparaiso, IN) as well as a Masters of Divinity from The University of the South (Sewanee, TN). Before being ordained in The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana in December 2007, Aaron served as youth pastor at St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Kilgore, TX The Diocese of Texas) and St. John's Episcopal Church (Elkhart, IN The Diocese of Northern Indiana). Upon ordination, Aaron served Leonidas Polk Memorial Episcopal Church (Leesville, LA The Diocese of Western Louisiana) and taught religion of LSU Alexandria. He went on to serve Trinity Episcopal Church (Grand Ledge, MI The Diocese of the Great Lakes-formerly Western Michigan) and finally St. John's Episcopal Church (Sturgis, MI-The Diocese of the Great Lakes-formerly Western Michigan). He quietly and stoically transitioned to his final ministerial vocation in hospital chaplaincy serving the sick and the suffering at Bronson Methodist Hospital (Kalamazoo, MI), Mayo Hospital (Eau Claire, WI), The Waters (St. Paul, MN), HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital (Eau Claire, WI) and finally at HSHS St. Vincent's Hospital (Green Bay, WI).
Aaron devoted himself resolutely to God, education, serving all God's people, The Episcopal Church and most of all his wife and kids. His fidelity, honesty and dry sense of humor knew no bounds. While a native born Texan, Longhorns and Cowboys fan, Aaron fell in love with the snow upon building a 12" snowman in his first meager northern snowfall and never moved back south (though his accent never wavered). His daughter notes that you'd never find a more educated man that despised traffic circles on principle and his son tells others he loved a good recliner.
Aaron enjoyed college football on Saturdays and time with his family watching movies and binging on whatever show his kids would watch with him. He and his wife spent their final night together watching The Dutton Ranch at Unity Hospice. His wife recalls reflecting upon the gravity of his rock-solid covenant loyalty after his passing. Kind, gentle, quiet and a little slower paced than his northern home would have liked, he leaves a chasm behind. Rachael would like to extend gratitude towards Dr. Even Wenig (Green Bay Oncology), Unity Hospice and Bill and Lori Schurman for helping Aaron's passage through the final five months of his life and to The Rev. Sean Maloney (Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts) for his long-standing friendship as well as service and devotion to Aaron's entire family. Per his wishes, Aaron will be cremated, buried with his mother and father (finally making his way back to Texas), set free upon Lake Michigan where he lives and always found joy and remain with his wife and kids, whom he would never want to leave. A funeral mass will take place at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Christ the King Episcopal Church in Sturgeon Bay. Kinnard Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at KinnardFCS.com.
