Cyril John Evans was born in Llandysul, Cardiganshire on 12 June 1915, the son of William, the postmaster, and Letitia (Morgan). He was educated at University College, Cardiff and University College Hospital, London, qualifying MRCS LRCP in 1938 and graduating MB BS London 1939. He trained in surgery in the Emergency Medical Service in Blackburn, Manchester, Cardiff, London, Reading and Newcastle-upon-Tyne and passed the final FRCS examination in 1946. He entered thoracic surgery, working under Thomas Holmes Sellors and Vernon Thompson in London and under George Mason at Shotley Bridge. In 1952 he was appointed thoracic surgeon to the South Wales Hospital Authority and established the cardiothoracic unit at the Morriston Hospital, Swansea, being there until he retired in 1983. He was a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland. His great interests were in music and radio equipment. In 1949 he married Nancy J Parnaby a radiographer and they had four sons. His wife survived him when he died on 22 February 1986.