Evonn Lefrancis Wadkins

Evonn LeFrancis Wadkins, a retired police officer, bus driver for the School District of Philadelphia, semi-pro basketball player and business owner, died Sunday, Jan. 11. He was 88.

He was born June 4, 1937, and was a competitor on the football field and basketball court. He was affectionately known as "Crip," stemming from his passion to play football.

While attending Simon Gratz High School, he excelled in basketball and competed against future legends such as Wilt Chamberlain and Sonny Hill. He continued playing after graduation, having a semi-professional career with the Spike Trophy teams, whose games were featured as pregame events for the Philadelphia Warriors (later the 76ers).

He later coached several youth teams, one of which he led to a championship.

While a senior in high school, he began dating Flora Elaine Poole. On Oct. 10, 1959, the two took a train ride to Elkton, Maryland, to elope. No one would discover it for about six months. From this union came three children.

In 1963, he graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy and worked with the traffic division throughout Fairmount Park. After 11 years in the traffic division, he transferred to the Mounted Patrol. He graduated from the Mounted Police Academy alongside his horse, Cracker Jack. The pair served together until his retirement in 1988, after which Cracker Jack also retired, having refused to allow anyone other than his partner to ride him.

While working as a police officer, he pursued several business ventures. His first was a partnership with his friend Scott. They named the business Jenn-Vett, after each of their daughters, Jennifer and Evette.

After the discontinuation of Jenn-Vett, he began doing roofing and siding during the spring and plumbing and heating jobs during the fall and winter.

He became a bus driver for the School District of Philadelphia after retiring from the police force. He later retired a second time after a decade of service and relocated to Goochland, Virginia.

While in Virginia, he joined the local chapter of the NAACP and worked with the Rosenwald School Museum..

He accepted Jesus as his personal savior and joined Second Union Baptist Church. He mentored young men while serving with the Boys-Men Ministry, joined the Media Ministry and recorded morning services.

He was known for the pursuit of his next car, traveling as far as eight hours to Canada in search of a Citroën. Years later, he and his brother, Gene, made several trips to Germany, each returning to the United States with a treasured vehicle.

An avid traveler, he enjoyed road trips, cruises and flights with family and friends, including trips to Florida, the Caribbean, Europe and several Super Bowls.

He had plenty of witty sayings, according to his family. “Living slow” was one that stood out when someone asked how he was doing.

“Throughout the years, Evonn developed numerous friendships and connections,” his family said in a tribute. Often, he did not even know the person’s name. One friend he simply called “Keyman” because the man knew how to change door locks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Sarah Elizabeth Wadkins, and siblings Myriam, Eugene, Edythe and Clifford Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Flora; children Evette, Evonn Corey and Elise; brother Earl; sister-in-law Barbara; godchildren R. Anthony (Karolyn), Jennifer, Christina and Scarlett; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.