David Wilson Bevans Jr.

DAVID WILSON BEVANS JR. M.D. passed away Friday, May 8, 2015 at the age of 73. He was the son of the late David W. Bevans, Sr. and Baby Jo Bevans. Except for his training years, David spent his whole life in North Little Rock. He attended public schools and graduated as president of the great NLRHS Old Main class of 1959. His premedical studies were at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He returned home in 1962 to marry his childhood sweetheart, Peggy Ann Yielding, and to begin medical school at UAMS. An internship at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa, Okla. followed, then a stent as a General Medical officer at Luke AFB, Arizona. He returned to UAMS for a surgery residency followed by a thoracic surgery fellowship at the VA Hospital for which he received a Director's Commendation. He entered private practice in 1974 with Dr. Charles R. Fielder and the late Dr. Frank R. Ludwig and practiced at Baptist Memorial Hospital where he served as Chief of Staff from 1985-1986 and also served as Chief of Surgery. They were the first group of surgeons to practice in NLR. Later they joined practices with Drs. Stair, DeLoach, Hayes, son David Bevans, III, and Shaw at Pulaski Surgery Clinic and practiced at Baptist Health Medical Center until he retired in 2001. He was also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He remained loyal to his school serving on the First Founders society at UAMS. He also served as President of the Arkansas Caduceus Club from 2006-2007. David loved his hometown and served NLR in many capacities. He served as the Commissioner of the NLR Civil Service Commission for six years. David served on the NLR Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors for many years. He was inducted into the Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame in 1993. He also received the Board of Leadership Award in 2003 from the Boys and Girls Club. He was an LPOA board member and was currently serving as chairman of the Lakewood Recreational Improvement District Board. He was the driving force behind the organization of physicians for free school physicals in the NLR School District for many years. He led the charge to buy the first bullet proof vests for the NLR Police Department. David was a lifelong member of NLR First United Methodist Church, and also supported Young Life. In 2014, David and Peggy received an award for their continuous service and support in bringing The Kingdom of Christ to the kids of North Little Rock since 1980 at the Young Life Banquet. His favorite volunteer endeavor was with the NLR Friends of Animals, for which he received the 2010 Richard Fritz Friedl Volunteer of the Year Award by the city of North Little Rock. David was dearly loved by his family and all that knew him. He affected many lives in the North Little Rock community and he will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Peggy Bevans; his son, Dr. David Bevans III (Julie) of North Little Rock; his son, Chris Bevans (Alane) of Denver; and his daughter, Betsy Bevans Carlson (Josh) of Bentonville; four grandchildren, Bailey Bevans, Chase Bevans, Lauren Jenkins, Lindsey Jenkins; two step-grandchildren, Alissa Carlson and Ethan Carlson; and his sister, Kathy Jolly (Robert) of North Little Rock and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, therapists and staff who took such wonderful care of him in the hospital and at home. Special thanks to Dr. Greg Bienvenu and Dr. Brad Jenkins who were so kind and diligent in caring for him. Memorials may be made to North Little Rock Friends of Animals, 1 Championship Drive, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72118, First United Methodist Church, 6701 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116, Baptist Health Foundation, 9601 I-630, Ext. 7, Little Rock, Ark. and the U.A.M.S. Foundation, 4301 W. Markham, #716, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday, May 10 at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Monday at North Little Rock First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Charles Fielder, Dr. Mike Pilcher, Ricky Lee, Jesse James, Roy Fisher, Dennis Jenkins, Mike Moore, Billy Grace, Dr. Samir Sulieman and Dr. Greg Bienvenu. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.