* Harold L. Evans Jr.; Ex-School Superintendent

Harold L. “Bud” Evans Jr., a former school superintendent and a retired consultant, died at home Sunday of a heart attack. He was 74.

He was born July 17, 1925, in San Francisco and grew up in San Leandro. At 12 he became one of the nation’s youngest Eagle Scouts.

In 1943, Evans entered Occidental College in Los Angeles as part of a program to train as an officer in the Marines. Upon completion of Officer Candidate School, he became a second lieutenant, but World War II had ended.

At Occidental, he met his future wife, Betty Lou. The couple married in 1945 and moved to Simi Valley the next year. Evans taught elementary school with a provisional teaching credential while he attended USC.

In 1950 he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree. He went on to receive a master’s and doctorate in education from USC.

In 1953, Evans became the superintendent of Conejo Elementary School District in Thousand Oaks, which later became the Valley Oaks Unified School District. During his tenure, he oversaw the construction of 13 elementary schools to respond to the area’s rapid growth.

He served as president of the Lions Club in Thousand Oaks, an area representative for the Salvation Army, a member of the Ventura County Grand Jury, and a lay leader of the United Methodist Church in Thousand Oaks.

Evans moved his family to the Bay Area when he became superintendent of the Los Altos School District in 1969.

In 1974, the family returned to Ventura County. Evans opened his own consulting firm, Leadership Alliance in Ventura, and was also a substitute teacher. He retired in 1980 and joined the Retired Teachers Assn. He was president of that organization from 1985 to 1987 and was also instrumental in establishing the Ventura County Retired Teachers Assn. Scholarship Foundation in 1993.

While living in Ventura, he served many years on the boards of Easter Seals and the Boy Scouts. He was a volunteer for the American Red Cross and a member of the Oxnard Joslyn Lawn Bowlers Club.

In addition to his wife of 54 years, Evans is survived by daughters Tricia Dolan of San Diego and Sue Fields of Escondido; a son, Rob Evans of Oxnard; a sister, Peg Kinney of San Leandro; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Michael.

In accordance with his wishes, no services will be held, but family and friends will gather at his home Saturday at 2 p.m. to celebrate his life.

Donations may be sent to the Ventura County Retired Teachers Assn. Scholarship Foundation, in care of Donald Miller, treasurer, P.O. Box 1766, Camarillo CA 93011-1766.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Charles Carroll Funeral Home in Ventura.