Former UP chair, executive Evans dies at 94

Former Union Pacific Railroad Chairman James Evans died Monday, the company announced yesterday. He was 94.

Evans served as UP's chairman from 1977 to 1985. Upon the formation of Union Pacific Corp. in 1969, he became president and a director. He served as president from 1969 until he was appointed chairman and chief executive officer, according to a UP press release.

Evans was part of the leadership team that championed UP's merger with Missouri Pacific Railroad and Western Pacific Railroad, which helped set the stage for the railroad's "exceptional freight-rail performance today," company officials said.

He was born in Lansing, Mich., on June 26, 1920, and served as a U.S. Navy lieutenant during World War II. After his military service, he joined Harris Trust & Savings Bank in Chicago as an attorney and loan officer.

Evans joined UP after serving leadership and management stints at The Seamen's Bank for Savings, Dun & Bradstreet Inc. and Reuben H. Donnelly Corp.

He also was a former director of American Telephone and Telegraph Co., the Anaconda Co., Bristol-Myers Co., Citicorp/Citibank, Dun & Bradstreet Inc., General Motors Corp., and Metropolitan LIfe Insurance Co. In addition, Evans had served on the boards at several nonprofit organizations and hospitals.