Obituary

Evan Daniel Jefferson

Evan “Ev-Dogg” Daniel Jefferson, age 23, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Ferndale, WA after a courageous battle with Muscular Dystrophy.

Evan was born Thursday, May 31, 2001, to Veda Casimir and Royrey Jefferson. He is the second eldest of his siblings. He is an enrolled tribal member of the Lummi Nation.

Evan, a Tribal Commercial Fisherman, started fishing and crabbing at the age of 10. He fished and crabbed alongside his Dad Roy, late Grandpa Randy and late brother Roy Boy and Val. His Grandma Valgina recalls how their late Grandpa Randy would wake “the boys” up at 5 AM every morning, saying “let’s go!” He and his brothers (late) Roy Boy and Val would get up and get going, while their baby brother Jaden got to stay home and sleep. Evan would jump up and head out the door with his Grandpa Randy to go run gear. Evan is remembered as being a dependable Deckhand since he was a young boy. By 11 years-old, Evan was driving the boat.

Evan enjoyed being on the water, he preferred it. As Evan was known for never wanting to go to school. His Dad Roy recalls having to call his Sister Georgina to come over and make Evan get ready and go to school. Every time Evan would hide under his bed, under the porch or he would run into the overgrown elephant ears or to the beach nearby refusing to go to school. But his Auntie would MAKE him go to school. One of the times, Evan said “Auntie Georgina is not my Auntie anymore.”  Not long after, however, Evan needed some money, and so he asked, “Auntie, can I have some money?” And his Auntie Georgina wittingly replied, “I thought I wasn’t your Auntie anymore?!”

Evan is remembered as a kind, loving and humble young man. The family holds many special memories of swimming down the beach together and having bbq’d oysters and hot dogs over the fire. The many family camping trips across Portage Island in the summer months, all the family gatherings and jumping around on the trampoline with all his cousins.

Evan will also be remembered for following his late brother’s, RoyBoy, example of strength and courage of managing and coping with the fatal health condition Muscular Dystropy. His final act of courage and strength to prepare his family for their final steps together will forever remain in the hearts and memories of his surviving family.

Evan is survived by his parents Veda Casimir and Royrey Jefferson, siblings Val and Jaden Jefferson, Conner Solmon, Taylor and Jace Thomas, and Giles and Isis Jackson. Grandmother Valgina Kinley. Uncles David (Lindi) Casimir, Jeffery (Dora) Jefferson, James Plaster, Michael Plaster. Aunts Milesa Silva,  Jada Olsen, Georgina (Eugene) Adams, Charlotte (Kevin) Adams, Brandi Kinley, Mary Jo (Anthony) Kinley, Isabelle, Kelli (Ralph) Jefferson-Tom, Carmen Burke, Miranda Jefferson. And other numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

Evan is preceded by Grandmothers Lillian Kinley-Solomon and Vanessa Casimir, Grandfathers Douglas Jefferson, Sr. and Randy Kinley, Sr., his brother Royrey Jefferson, Aunts Lanore, Alice, Joi, and Paula Jefferson, Uncle Douglas Jefferson, Jr., and Cousins Daniel and Jeremy Jefferson, Kolten Lechuga and Gabriel George and Douglas Jones and Darrian James.

A traditional prayer service will be held for Evan Daniel Jefferson on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 6 PM at Wex’liem and Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 10:30 AM. Final resting place at Lummi Cemetery, Lummi Nation, WA.