Dr. Donald Lee Evans

Dr. Donald Lee Evans, 79, of Athens, GA, died on July 24, 2022, at his residence in Greensboro, GA. He was born in Kansas City, MO, on May 22, 1943. He received a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biological sciences from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a doctorate in immunology from the University of Arkansas. Dr. Evans completed postdoctoral training at MD Anderson followed by faculty positions at Texas Tech University and Wake Forest Schools of Medicine. Finally, he was a professor in the Department of Infectious Diseases in the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine for more than 30 years. Upon his retirement in 2016, he was appointed Professor Emeritus by University President Jere Morehead.
Dr. Evans was preceded in death by his former wife (Nan Best Evans) and two siblings (Leonard Levi Moree III and Veda Mae Moree). He is survived by his wife Liliana Jaso-Friedmann, three children and two stepchildren: Elizabeth K. Kruer (Kerry) of Hart County, Laura M. Davis (Jeff), Jeffrey C. Evans (Michelle) of Oconee County, Nicholas (Ashley) Friedmann of District of Columbia, and Alexander Friedmann of Clarke County. He had six loving grandchildren: Jacob C. Davis, Abbey M. Davis, Katherine E. Alexander, Jeffrey C. Evans, Jr., Owen R. Evans, and Marshall R. Friedmann. He also is survived by two sisters: Athalea Bowen and Nancy Berkstresser of Kansas City, MO, his nephew Jeff Schmitt of Asheville, NC, and members of the large Jaso family in Uruguay.
Dr. Evans was passionate about education, the scientific method, and immunology. He was an avid runner who completed more than 45 Peachtree Road Races and several half marathons. He loved his family, and he loved to travel. Dr. Evans was exceptionally driven and resilient: he survived multiple myeloma after two stem cell transplants; he endured a ruptured aneurysm; and he lived with Parkinson’s disease for the last several years. At the time of his death, he jokingly told friends he was in search of a fourth incurable disease.
A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at the Catholic Center at UGA at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception in the parish hall. Interment will follow the reception at Oconee Hill Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at michaeljfox.org .
Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, Athens, GA, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com