Ryan Jones

“I have had the unique and often trying experience of growing up side by side with my little brother, Evan. Through this shotgun seat experience of the life of Evan I’ve been able to see his relationship with Caitlin follow a similar path to mine and his. They say blood is thicker than water. After surviving our trip to Kansas City a couple years ago I’d venture to say her love for Evan is thicker than Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que ™ sauce. Thankful that both of them have given me the opportunity to stand by my baby brother as he makes the greatest decision of his life… to spend the rest of his life with a beautifully patient woman.”

Ted Wohlin

“When I graduated from college I took a job with caterpillar and moved to a small town in Illinois. I had lived there for about 6 months before I ended up meeting what turned out to be two of my best friends in the world. I’m an early riser so I tended to be one of the first people in the office every day. One day in July I was going about my normal routine when I heard some body else in the office, that person turned out to be Evan. From that moment I recognized how hard of a worker Evan is and over the next few months we developed a great friendship. We have been on many adventures together now but none will top the third Saturday of October 2022 when Evan brought me down to the university of Tennessee. I couldn’t be more thankful to caterpillar for bringing Evan and Caitlin into my life and I’m excited to see what the future holds for two of the best people I know.”

Frank Wadewitz

“Evan and I have been friends now going on seven years. We met our freshman year of college while pledging the Kappa Alpha Fraternity and became closer while taking Math 125 together. It’s safe to say, Evan was a big part of me passing that class, although I may have needed him more than he needed me! Jokes aside, Evan is truly one of a kind and one of the best friends you could have. He would do anything for you and is always up for a call to discuss life, careers, and anything sports related. I am glad to call him a friend and am very excited for Evan and Caitlin as they take on this new chapter of life!”

Jacob Wall

I first met Evan in 5th grade when we started intermediate school together. Back then, we’d run around the football field during recess, but it wasn’t until 7th or 8th grade that we really became close. Evan was one of the first in our friend group to get his driver’s license, and he’d often drive us up to Knoxville to visit his brother’s fraternity, sparking countless fun adventures. In high school, Evan and I spent a lot of time together in our friend group. From Friday night Waffle House runs to farm party planning and morning breaks, we made some great memories. One of my favorite times with Evan was our spring break trip to Colorado with his dad. We drove all the way from Maryville to Denver, exploring the city and visiting incredible places like the Coors brewery, Mile High Stadium, and a Denver Nuggets game. We even went hiking and snowshoeing in the beautiful Colorado wilderness. Since high school, Evan and I have lived in different states for school and work, but we’ve stayed close and make it a point to get together several times a year. Evan is one of those rare friends with whom, no matter how much time has passed, it always feels like you pick up right where you left off. I’m incredibly grateful to have him as a friend and to have witnessed his relationship with Caitlin grow from the very beginning. They’re both amazing people, and it’s been so special to see their love flourish over the years.”

Colin Craig

“I first met Evan on bid day as we started to pledge KA at the University of Tennessee together in 2018. However, I wouldn’t say I got to really know him until our first Geography class that semester. After the first day of class, Evan came over to my dorm to hang out for a while. He eventually made his way back up to his dorm, just two floors above mine. I get a text from him 30 minutes later saying “Missing something?”. The guy I had known for all of a couple hours at this point had stolen my prized possession, a signed football of UT’s football coach at the time. Since then, Evan has become one of my closest friends. Whether it’s watching football, playing basketball, or just sitting around talking about life, he is always a joy to be around. He is still the same jokester with a love for life and his friends, but also one of the most dependable men I have ever met. I am so excited to be able to play a part in the beginning of this next stage of life with his wonderful fiancé Caitlin.”

Tommy Wheeler

“I met Evan at Fort Craig Elementary School sometime around first or second grade. We became friends at that time because we were in the same Boy Scout troop, which was led by Evan’s mom. As we got older, we became much closer friends towards the end of high school and beginning of college (GBO!). I think that was due in large part because Evan shared a freshman dorm room with my brother Tipton, along with Isaac and Drake. Throughout college, we were members of the same fraternity and undoubtedly made some great memories that seem to have qualified me with the honor of standing next to him on one of the most important days of his life. I am very proud of Evan and very excited to get to see his next chapter of life with Caitlin.”

Tipton Wheeler

“I met Evan on the playground of Fort Craig Elementary School playing football at recess. I think I remember him wearing a Tim Tebow Florida Gators jersey but it’s been about 20 years at this point so my memory might be a bit foggy. We really became great friends at the University of Tennessee and lived together in North Carrick our Freshman year. We have been very close friends for quite some time now, and have made some fond memories over the years. Whether we were having a good time at a farm (Frank’s or Cade’s), going on a trip to Charleston or New Orleans for a fraternity formal, going to a Tennessee football game, or checking out a brewery, Evan’s company has always been good company. Excited to continue to make more and more fond memories for years to come. It’s an honor to stand by his side on his wedding day and I can’t wait to see what other blessings God has in store for Evan and Caitlin.”

Isaac Eargle

“I’ve had the incredible privilege of knowing Evan for nearly 12 years now, and in that time, we’ve shared experiences and memories that are too numerous and meaningful to sum up in a few sentences. Our journey together began back in 6th grade at Maryville Intermediate School, and it’s been a bond that has only deepened as we’ve grown older and ventured further from home. One thing, though, has always brought us back together: the Vols. Some of my most cherished memories with Evan are from the days when we’d attend UT sporting events. It didn’t matter what the game was—if the Vols were playing, we were there. Those moments spent in the stands, sometimes for hours on end, became a big part of our story. So, when it came time to choose a college, it was only natural that we both ended up at the University of Tennessee. And as if that wasn’t enough, Evan and I also became freshman roommates and fraternity brothers, sharing even more memories and adventures as we navigated the next chapter of our lives. Every step of the way, he’s been a constant—someone I can always count on, no matter where life takes us. Looking back, I’m beyond grateful for the friendship we’ve built and the countless experiences we’ve shared. Through all the highs and lows, Evan has always been there—not just as a friend, but as someone who truly understands and supports me.”

Matt Jennette

“Evan and I met during our freshman year of college at the University of Tennessee. We both accepted bids to the same fraternity and quickly became great friends. I’m fortunate to have gotten the chance to live with Evan during our sophomore year, which was easily one of the best decisions I made in college. Over the years, Evan and I have cheered on the Vols, graduated, and started our careers. Despite no longer living in the same city or state, Evan has remained one of my closest friends. I admire Evan for his quick-witted humor and unwavering dedication to the people and things that matter most to him. There are very few people in the world like Evan Jones, and I am thrilled and honored to stand with him and Caitlin as they begin their next adventure together.”

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