Our Founder, Leonard L. Evans, Jr.

Our Founder, Leonard L. Evans, Jr., was a champion trapshooter and many time All American trap team member who won many State, Zone, and Grand American trophies and the owner of South River Gun Club and Evans Companies, a metal stamping and production company. He was inducted into the Georgia State Trapshooting Hall of Fame in 1995. His tenacity in the shooting sports was evident from the start, as he was a tough, fair, and honest competitor.

But aside from his legacy as a champion trapshooter, he was also involved in the resurrection of Gate City Gun Club in 1986. At that time, Gate City was floundering and Mr. Evans decided to purchase the club with the intention of preserving and improving the gun club. After several years of huge losses, the gun club finally turned around in 1999 and at present has over 900 members. Mr. Evans could have given up at any time during these bad years, but that was not his way. He was not a quitter. If not for him, South River Gun Club would not be in existence today and providing a quality place to shoot for so many.

The hallmarks of Mr. Evans were honesty, fairness, and his word was his bond. These traits live on in both South River Gun Club and Evans Companies now, as both continue his great legacy. He was also a devout Christian who backed up his beliefs with deeds through his life, words and benevolence.

Mary Alice Evans, wife of
Leonard L. Evans, Jr., Our Founder

Mary Alice and Leonard Evans were married for 69 years and were childhood sweethearts. After they left Washington, GA, they moved to Atlanta, GA and established the first Evans Tool & Die shop in the garage across the street from their home on Candler Road. Mary Alice worked right alongside Leonard and also their sons, Len and Craig, in the shop. Once their business was fully established, they moved to Conyers, GA to their present location on North Salem Road. They built Evans Tool & Die into Evans Companies, a highly successful and profitable tool & die fabrication and metal stamping business.

Mary Alice was also a champion trap and skeet shooter and won many trophies. She was also a philanthropist and made donations to Young American’s Christian School, McDonough Christian Church, Crosspoint Christian Church and many others.

Mary Alice will always be remembered as a wonderful wife and mother and a dear friend to so many!