The highest acclaim a judge can receive is how some of Judge James Evans colleagues are remembering him.

"I honestly think that his reputation was that he would give you a fair shake," said Mahoning County Common Pleas Judge Scott Krichbaum.

The 72 year old retired judge died at University Hospitals in Cleveland Thursday

When Judge Evans was on the bench,  Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul Gains said both sides walked away feeling justice was served.

"But Jim Evans could see that that there's always room for compromise and maybe everyone's not going to be entirely happy but everyone's not going to be entirely miserable either. Yes, I'm going to miss Jim Evans," said Gains.

Evans brought his experience of enforcing and defending the law to Mahoning County and Common Pleas Courts.  He even worked worked on his college and law degrees, while he was a highway patrol officer and Canfield policeman.

"Jimmy Evans had a lot of compassion for people.  He was just a good man, you can't say enough good things about him," said Gains.

One of his passions was the Canfield Fair.  Evans was in charge of police and security there.

He was a leader in the community and on the bench.

"He was a good man.  Someone we're all gonna miss," said Krichbaum.

Calling hours will be held at Lane Funeral home on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown this coming Monday from 4 until 8 in the evening.  On Tuesday, calling hours will be held again at 10 a.m. at Lane's Austintown Chapel, with funeral services following at 11 a.m. 

More information about Judge Evans and services can be found by following this link.