Steve Dale Evans was born September 11, 1948 to J.C. and Dorothy (Johnson) Evans in Bakersfield. He grew up in Shafter, attending Beardsley Elementary Schools and Shafter High School. Steve married Karen Sue Ashmore May 11, 1968 and they continued to make Shafter home. Steve worked in the oil fields, in construction and until his health failed worked as a machine operator for McJunkin. Steve came from a musical family and passed on that tradition to his family, in honor of his 60th birthday, his daughters coordinated a concert. Steve sang at church and in the community with his wife and served as pastor at Carrington of Shafter. Steve was a member of the Shafter Christian Fellowship and served on the church board. Steve worshiped the Lord with all his heart and during the last two years of his life made it his mission and purpose to let people know that Jesus loved them. Steve was a caring husband to Karen and in their later years they were never apart, he was her life; known to her as "My Dearheart" they were married 40 years. He was the sweetest father and loving grandfather, always gentle and will be greatly missed by his daughters and grandchildren. Steve is survived by is wife, Karen of Shafter; mother, Dorothy Jean Evans of Porterville; daughters, Karri Crow and husband Dee of Bakersfield Terri Hammond and husband Steve of Los Banos; brothers, Jim Evans and Brett Evans and his wife Tammie, all of Porterville; sister, Audrey Baker and husband Doug of Bakersfield; brother-in-law, Buddy Self of Bakersfield; 6 grandchildren, Anthony Crow, Jordan Renuk and husband Mike, Katelyn Crow, Joshua Hammond, Armond Henderson and Ashley Brown; sisters-in-law, Buna Rees and husband Ken, Kay Clark and husband Carl and Sherry Lauderdale and husband Richard. Steve was preceded in death by his father, J.C. and sister, Sherry Self. A funeral service will be conducted by Peters Funeral Home on Thursday, October 9 at 1pm at Shafer Christian Fellowship, 632 James Street. Pastor Gene Lawrence will officiate and interment will follow at Shafter Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Wednesday, Oct. 8 from 2pm to 8pm at Peters Funeral Home.