M. Evans

Bronson Evans
Hunt, TX Melvin Bronson Evans passed away on January 30, 2012 at his home on the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, with his wife and children at his bedside. He was sixty eight years old.

Bronson was born on January 7, 1944, the only child of the late Melvin and Catherine Evans. He grew up with an innate sense of honesty and a builtin dislike for authority. Because of this, his young life was a constant adventure and he quotpushed the envelopequot in everything he did. These traits only intensified as he matured.

After graduation from Midwestern University, he accepted a position with Campbells Soup Company. Even though he was an incredibly hard worker, he was psychologically unable to play quotcorporate games.quot He realized, early on, that he would always have to be selfemployed. Bronson opened a series of bars and restaurants in Wichita Falls and then Houston, eventually culminating in the Abby Inn Restaurant and Bar, an establishment still remembered by many who lived in Houston during the seventies.

Bronson met, courted, and married a beautiful and freespirited young lady, Karen Laws, during this period. The marriage surprised many of his friends, but it endured and resulted in two children, the loves of their lives, Philip Bronson Evans and Catherine Elizabeth Libby Evans. These children added a whole new dimension to Bronsons life and brought undreamedof happiness. He worked at being a dad with the same focus and intensity he demonstrated in everything else he pursued. He was a fantastic father and was absolutely devoted to his family. He showered them with unconditional love.

Before the children, Bronson and Karen dabbled in various bar and restaurant businesses in Houston and Austin, including the Texas Opry House in Austin. Finally, they decided the restaurantbar business was too unstable and returned to Houston to open the first six locations of Sound Warehouse.

Inevitably, Bronson and Karen chose to leave the corporate environment and go into something they could control, without outside interference or meddling. Working from a , rented house in the Spring Branch area of Houston, they established what would become the very successful American Student Travel Company. When the company was purchased by a competitor, the Evans retired and moved to Hunt, Texas, where they designed and built a home at the confluence of the North and South Guadalupe Rivers.

Bronson had fun throughout his life and loved his family, his friends, and fly fishing, in just about that order. He lived in Wichita Falls, Dallas, Austin, and Houston before moving to the Hill Country. He joked that he quothad all the friends he wantedquot, but he made new friends wherever he went. It was his nature, just like the unbelievable energy and innate honesty. His range of friends included Liberals in Austin and Republicans in Hunt. He valued those friends equally and was loyal to them to a fault.

Even though Bronson was an only child, in addition to his immediate family, he leaves behind six quotbrothersquot who will cherish his memory: Terry Worrell, Johnny Stafford, Bobby Schaaf, Jerry Moore, Tommy Johnson, and Hugh Ruggles.

A celebration of Bronsons life will be held on April 14, 2012 at a time to be announced.

The family suggests that donations in Bronsons name be made to The Hunt Garden Club Discovery Gardens, Greystone Preparatory at Schreiner University, or a charity of their choice.

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