Businessman Hugh H. Evans Dies at 90
Hugh H. Evans, a Southern California business executive, philanthropist and political leader for more than six decades, died Wednesday at a Los Angeles hospital where he was under treatment following a heart attack.
Evans, 90, was a native of Arkansas who began his banking career with Citibank of New York after graduation from the University of Arkansas and service in World War I. He moved to California in 1922 to join the firm now known as Security Pacific Bank.
He was co-founder of Western Federal Savings & Loan Assn. in 1935 and served as its vice president and president, retiring as chairman of the board in 1975.
Long active in politics, he was a founder and chairman of Democratic Associates and was an early supporter of Gov. Edmund G. (Pat) Brown, who in 1961 appointed him to the state Commission on Judicial Qualifications.
He was also a delegate to the Democratic Convention that nominated John F. Kennedy, but in 1970 switched to the Republican Party and became a member of the executive committee of Californians for Reagan.
With his wife, Gladys Crail Evans, who died in 1972, he was a co-founder of the Los Angeles Music Center and a longtime benefactor of Childrens Hospital.
Survivors include his daughter, Mary Evans Morton; his son, Hugh Evans Jr.; seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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