Former TAB Chairman Rush Evans, Jr. Dies
posted on 3.05.2019Broadcasters are mourning the loss of former TAB Chairman Rush Evans, Jr. He passed away March 3 at the age of 87.
Born September 7, 1931, in Baxter Springs, Kansas, Evans grew up in Neodesha, Kansas as the only child of Rush and Louise (Burton) Evans.
The family moved to Pittsburg, Kansas, where Rush fell in love with broadcasting.
He began working at KSEK Radio as a deejay and basketball announcer, and attended college at what is now Pittsburg State University.
Evans took his first television job in Abilene, where his duties included announcing on a weekly country music program, "The Slim Willet Show."
In Abilene, he fulfilled a childhood dream and learned to fly, especially enjoying piloting small planes to Kansas and back.
He then landed a job in Topeka as program director at WIBW-TV, where he immediately fell in love with the station's beautiful new receptionist from Ashburn, Georgia, Helen Porter. They soon married and had two children, Tina and Rush III, while in Topeka.
Evans then served as general manager of television stations KKTV Colorado Springs (1964-68); KCEN-TV Waco (1968-73); KTBC-TV Austin (1973-82); and then KCOY-TV Santa Maria, California; KMIZ-TV Columbia, Missouri; and KJAC-TV Beaumont/Port Arthur before retiring in 1991.
Rush's 30-year career in television was exciting, and he had a ball. His many roles over the years included producer, news reporter, news anchor, weatherman, advertising salesman, manager, and announcer with a golden voice. In Topeka, he hosted "The Rush Hour," a live interview show.
He chaired the TAB Board of Directors in 1976.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 10, at 10 AM. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home Chapel, 3125 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX, with a brief reception following.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to a favorite charity.
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