John Hamilton Evans, 93, of Coeur d'Alene, passed away Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012. He was born July 1, 1918, to John and Mabel (Thayer) Evans.

John was former owner of the Pepsi bottling plant in Lewiston. He was in the soda pop business in Lewiston his entire life beginning in the 1920s with his dad bottling soda in the basement of their home on Normal Hill. In 1938 his dad, in partnership with Mrs. Orrin Prine, built a new bottling plant Idaho Beverages in North Lewiston.

John graduated from Lewiston High School in 1937. He was an Army Air Corps veteran who served in World War II. He was member of the Elks Lodge No. 896 in Lewiston for 67 years, and member the Nez Perce County Historical Society. As a young man he enjoyed motorcycles and later in life he played golf and fished.

He is survived by niece Barbara Riggs and her husband Dick of Lewiston; nephew Kenneth Kirkpatrick of Florida; cousin Mrs. Jeff (Carol) Wilson of Clarkston, Wash.; two step-sons Patrick Neagle of Spokane and Michael Neagle of Hawaii; and two step-daughters Kathleen Souza, Carolyn Fujioka of Hawaii; six step-grandchildren and three great-step-grandchildren.

Private scattering of ashes will take place. Memorials may be sent to Nez Perce County Historical Society Museum, 0306 Third St., Lewiston, ID 83501.