When Black Diamond buried its 100-year time capsule on Miners’ Day 2010 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the city’s incorporation, it’s a shame that Gomer Evans’ memories weren’t buried with it. For the past few decades, Gomer has been the unofficial Godfather of the Black Diamond Historical Society (BDHS) which operates the biggest small-town museum around. Even in his nineties, Gomer had more energy than many men half his age. As it should have, the news came suddenly – Gomer Evans Jr. permanently slowed down, passing away at age 95 on May 10, 2023. Though Gomer’s memories are lost, the memory of Gomer Evans will never fade.
Gomer Evans was born Sept. 18, 1927, to Welsh parents who’d immigrated from Wales to Washington. His father, Gomer Sr. first worked in the coal mines of Rhondda Valley, Wales at age 12, coming to America in 1910. Gomer’s mother, Alice Hughes traveled from Cumpenmachno, Wales to Black Diamond in 1912. Fittingly, his parents met and married in Black Diamond where their son, Gomer lived his entire life. He loved to brag he was 100% Welsh, which was a pretty good thing in a town founded primarily by Welsh coal miners in 1885.
Gomer’s first job was in the old company store, then run by Harry McDowell. After serving in the Merchant Marines during World War II, he married Marie Ann Barnes in 1949, and they had two daughters, Sherrie Evans, and Debby (Evans) Campbell. Ten years later, Gomer was part of the group spearheading the city’s 1959 incorporation. He soon became the youngest council member, then Chief of Police from 1969 to 1972, and finally Mayor from 1973 to 1977. During Evans’ mayoral term, he was instrumental in securing the City’s watershed property on the east bank of the Green River. And through shrewd negotiations, Gomer helped secure the City’s water rights and expand State Parks’ ownership of the surrounding Gorge.
For the past 20 years, Gomer’s passion has been historic preservation in his hometown through volunteer work at the Black Diamond Historical Museum. He chaired two projects of lasting importance: the Coal Miners Honor Garden (where the 100-year time capsule is buried) and a railroad locomotive that now sits on tracks in front of the museum. His love of history was rooted in lessons learned while serving the city he loved. Here’s how Gomer Evans Jr. put it, “No matter what the future brings, remembering our past will always be very important in decisions that come before us.”
This photo by BDHS photographer, Robert Dobson, was taken in 2012 and illustrates Gomer’s love of racing hats. Funeral services with military honors will be held Friday, June 2 at 12:30 pm at Tahoma National Cemetery followed by a 1:30 pm Celebration of Life at the historic Enumclaw Field House built in 1939.
