Mannix.
That’s what we often called Palmer Evans during his three years as a McCallie School boarder in the mid-1970s. It was meant as the highest of compliments, that reference to the smooth, smart, unconventional detective played by actor Mike Connors on the long-running CBS series of the same name.
Or as fellow 1976 McCallie grad “Groovy Greg” Goodwin noted upon learning of the 57-year-old Evans’ sad passing last week: “He earned the ‘handle’ Mannix for a proclivity for getting the job done, albeit sometimes at all hours throughout the night.”
Added fellow 76er Rusty Scott with words any McCallie student from that time might echo: “Palmer was easily one of the coolest people I have ever known.”
Always. On the tennis court. On the soccer field, where he helped the Blue Tornado win a state championship. On the sideline at football games, where he was a Big Blue cheerleader. In McCallie’s North Hall study hall, where he sometimes tutored inner-city youth.