Carl Evans III “Butch”, age 70, of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2020. He was born August 16, 1949, in Kalamazoo, to the late Carl Evans Jr. and Lucille (Slack) Dunlap. Butch proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After his time in the service he was an over the road truck driver for many years. He married Debra Morris on July 3, 1994; together they celebrated 24 years of marriage before Debra passed away on March 24, 2019.

Butch was a kind hearted man, who was always up for making new friends, and helping others. He had a good sense of humor and loved to tease people. He was certainly an outdoorsman and could often be found mowing the lawn, tinkering in the yard, working on cars, and going to have a beer with friends while fishing. Butch enjoyed watching football, especially his Detroit Lions and also liked watching NASCAR and any stock car races.

Throughout the last year of his life Butch got to know his caretakers very well at the Battle Creek Veterans Hospital, treated them like family, enjoyed them, and always welcomed their company.

Survivors include his daughter, Amy Lynn Partanen; grandsons, Casey and Connor Nolan; granddaughter, Skylar Partanen; step-mother, Alice Evans; sisters, Dawn Vandenboss, Kathy Evans, and Jeannie (Scott) Rodgers; brothers, David (Susan) Evans and Ferlin Dunlap; brother-in-law, Rex “Boonie” Gomber; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Butch was preceded in death by his wife, Debra; father, Carl Evans Jr.; mother, Lucille Dunlap; and sister, Charmain Gomber.

Amy and the rest of the family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Battle Creek Veterans Hospital for the great care, compassion, and friendship they showed Butch over the past year.

Per Butch’s wishes cremation has taken place and his cremated remains will be buried with his wife, Debra at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Butch’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care.