Michael Frank Evans, Mike to his friends, was born September 27, 1918 in Slovenia (Yugoslavia). His parents migrated to America when he was two years old, and left him behind. At age 9 he traveled alone across the ocean to join his parents and two new sisters in Pennsylvania. He graduated high school and looked forward to college and a career in photography, but the war interrupted his plans.

In 1940 Mike enlisted in the Army after reading a Readers Digest article about the Air Corps school of photography. After training, he joined the WWII campaign in Europe and Africa. He rode in bombers with a huge camera, taking pictures of the bombing targets. He has credit for 65 bombing missions, and was awarded a purple heart and air medal.

After the war, Mike moved to Milwaukee and started work in a camera shop. While attending evening classes a pretty girl caught his eye. His story was that the first time he saw her from across the room, he told his buddy that was the girl he would marry. And so he did. Mike and Delores were happily married for over 70 years. He was devoted fully to her and to their four children.

Mike and Delores built a house in a suburb of Milwaukee, doing nearly all of the work themselves since money was so scarce. A decade later they moved to Hollywood California, fleeing the harsh Wisconsin winters, but leaving their dream home behind. Education was a priority for Mike, so he put most of the money they earned on the sale of the Wisconsin house into college savings accounts for the kids. With what remained, they bought a house built in 1901 that was in disrepair; a piece of canvas served as the back door. He immediately went to work renovating it into a home. Given his love of photography, it should be no surprise that he converted the basement into to a full darkroom.

In Hollywood, Mike sold cameras in the well respected store, Morgans Camera Shop. He shared his joy of photography with others and sold cameras to the stars. He left his sales position when he was in his 50`s and joined the Los Angeles Police Department Scientific Investigations Division as a photographer. He continued taking classes and seminars, and taught photography on the side. After their retirement, he and Delores moved to Leisure World (Laguna Woods).

Even retirement could not slow Mike down. He taught photography classes through the Saddleback Emeritus Program for 10 years. He was an active and contributing member of many clubs at Leisure World, including the Camera Club (President and Special Projects Committees), Leisure Wheelers, Wood Shop supervisor, and Video Club Charter member, including special projects, taping of Veteran`s interviews/bios. He was a staunch supporter of the American Legion, a past Commander of Post 257, and member of the Color Guard. He was honored as the Leisure Worlder of the Month in March 2005 by the Leisure World Historical Society.

Along the way they traveled the country and the world. As a family, they took long camping trips every year with friends and extended family, covering most of the territory west of the Mississippi. Later Mike and Delores continued their travels, first in their VW camper van, and then moving up to the luxury of a small trailer. More recently they went on cruises, plane trips, and bus trips. In 2015 Mike, Delores and all four children took one last vacation together to family reunions with Delores family in Wisconsin, and Mike`s family in Pennsylvania. Even at age 96 he was still hopping up on chairs to get the best angle for a photograph.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Delores; his children, John, Glenn, Melodie, and Nancy; his seven grandchildren, his great grandchild, and his many friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Legion or Lutheran Church of the Cross.