Evan Edward Shelley, the ASU student who was killed Tuesday in a collision with a Department of Public Safety patrol car, will be missed greatly by the family and friends who attended his funeral Sunday.
Christopher Valdez, an officer who had been chasing a suspected stolen car hit Shelley’s car on Country Club Drive and University Drive. Valdez’s car was traveling southbound on Country Club Drive when it struck Shelley’s 1988 white Chevy hatchback, which was traveling eastbound on University Drive.
Shelley’s funeral was filled with more memories than tears, as he would have wanted, said his sister, Erica Shelley.
His family includes his mother Mary Diane; his father, James Leon; his sisters, Erica and Nicole; his grandparents, Fern Shelley, Don and Glennis Stephenson; and his nephews, Kanoa Haley and Elijah Pounce.
Evan was born on Sept. 6, 1976, in Mesa. He was a computer system engineering junior at ASU and went to Westwood High School.
Erica spoke at the funeral, focusing on Evan’s compassion.
“He always wanted to change lives for the better. He was always concerned with the bigger picture. He was a beautiful person and it was wonderful to have him in our lives,” she said.
Evan was a very involved student at ASU, his grandmother, Fern Shelley, said.
“He was always determined to get a good education. After school everyday, he would cook himself a snack and say, ‘Grandma, I have to hit the books.’ He was like a child to me.”
Fern also mentioned her grandson’s waist-length hair.
“One day I told him it didn’t look right, and I told him to get it cut. He told me that if I wanted it cut, he would do it. I made an appointment, but a couple hours before it he said, ‘Grandma, I like my hair too much,’ so he didn’t do it. Many girls liked his beautiful hair,” she said.
Evan’s other grandmother, Glennis Stephenson, said she would always remember him for his character.
“Evan was a great guy and I know that everyone always says that after people are gone, but he really had a great spirit. I know that someday, we’ll all be together again,” she said.
The father of the officer spoke and wished much sympathy to the Shelley family and friends.
“He told me, ‘Dad, I wish I would have died instead.’ I feel for Evan’s family. My family is hurting real badly too. God help us all.”
Reach Sandy Almendarez at
salmend@imap2.asu.edu.
