Obituary of Keagan Jeryl Evans
Keagan Jeryl Evans of Red Deer, AB passed away at home surrounded by the love of his mother, father, brother, grandma and the community of Red Deer on Friday, August 5, 2022, at the age of 20 years.
Facing brain cancer right in the eyes, Keagan challenged cancer showing the world that resilience and fortitude can conquer anything! His amazingly affectionate smile will be remembered along with his contagious laugh. Keagan was passionate about living his life to the absolute fullest leaving a permanent imprint on the hearts of anyone who crossed his path. He was a loyal friend and looked up to his big brothers with admiration and absolute pure love. Keagan was known for giving the best hugs and was always surrounded by beautiful girls.
Keagan graduated from Hunting Hill High School in 2020 while on his cancer journey proving that you can complete anything you put your mind too, especially with a little help from his friends. Keagan enjoyed his time working as a snowboard instructor at Canyon Ski Hill inspiring youth to follow their passions, as well as having many amazing snowboarding adventures to Banff, Apex, Lake Louise, and Fernie with his Dad and friends. Keagan started his hockey career as a goalie when he was six years old. He was so excited when he got his goalie pads that he slept in his hockey bag that night. He played with all his heart and his strength and may have been part of the reason they removed “hitting” from the peewee levels. After this he found his love of lacrosse; travelling to San Jose to play with team California where he supported his team and won Gold in the Box Nationals. Keagan also enjoyed a trip and an eye-opening experience in Las Vegas to play with the Red Deer Orangemen team, and “Wow” did those boys have fun!
Keagan started building his first race car at the age of 12 years old with his Dad. Anxiously he waited, as he was not allowed to race until he turned 13 years old. But when thirteen came – Keagan showed us all how determination trumps fear by coming in Second in points that year. He may have given his Mom and Grandma a few grey hairs but the life long friends he made were worth it all. Keagan loved to camp, he enjoyed many trips with family and friends, sitting around a campfire till the wee hours of the morning soaking up all the sage advise the adults would share. Keagan loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Disneyland, Mexico (three times) and his trip of a lifetime to Maui where he got to jet ski in the ocean. Keagan’s latest passion was golfing, playing many competitive rounds with his great-grandpa Ben, his Dad, his brothers, and friends on the golf course along with a fierce game of late-night Put-Put throughout the house with his Mom.
Keagan will forever be lovingly remembered and treasured by his parents, Shannon and Chris (Natalie and her kids Tanner and Alyssa), brothers, Logan and Andrew, Auntie Shauna (Andrew), Auntie Nicole (Josh), cousins Brayden (Jess), Justin, Weston and Harlow, Grandma June (Bill and Michelle, Dean and families), Grandma Terry (Gary and Benjamin and family), Great-Grandparents, Ben and Shirley, along with many extended family (both given and chosen) and an enormous group of friends and friendships. Keagan was predeceased by his grandfathers, Gerry B. and Gerry E., and his beloved dog, Gizmo.
To know Keagan was to love him and to know that you will always have a lifetime friend. Keep this friendship close to your heart, take the time to be mad and sad, but don’t sit there too long. Keagan has shown us that life is meant to be lived so face the sun and live your best life like Keagan always did.
Thank you to the doctors and staff at the University of Alberta Hospital, the Stollery Children’s Hospital, and the Cross Cancer Clinic for their exceptional care and dedication to helping Keagan live his best life. A special thank you to Dr. Atchison at the Horizon Clinic and the pharmacy team at Save-On-Foods Easthill for always going above and beyond to help us get through the hard days. We also want to recognize the amazing support we have all had from our families and a number of very special and gifted friends, especially Laurie and Trish, and a huge thank you and hug to all of Keagan’s Tribe.
Keagan’s Celebration of Life will be at CrossRoads Church, (SW corner of 32 St and highway 2), 38105 Range Road 275, Red Deer County, AB on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.. Fellowship and light snacks to follow in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Ronald McDonald House Edmonton, Kids with Cancer Society or Fostering Hope Animal Rescue Foundation. Condolences to Keagan’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Please indicate "Evans" in the subject line.
Arrangements in care of
Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service
A locally owned cremation and funeral provider
serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta
587-876-4944