Gary Dale Devin

A Celebration of the life of Gary Dale Devin, 79, will be held on Saturday June 21st, 11:00 am at First United Methodist Church with Pastor Laurie Barnes officiating. Visitation will be held Friday 6:00pm-8:00pm at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, 203 N. Washington Street. Mr. Devin passed away June 13th, 2014 at St. Francis Health Center, Topeka, KS. Cremation has taken place with the assistance of Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the Devin Scholarship Memorial in care of the Geary Community Schools Foundations, 900 N. Eisenhower Dr., Junction City, KS 66441 Contributions may be made through the funeral home or to the Foundation in care of USD 475.

Gary was born October 17, 1934 in Oklahoma and moved with his family to Junction City, Kansas in 1941. He began his entrepreneurial career shortly thereafter selling popcorn balls to soldiers at Ft. Riley during WWII and shining shoes (we can only assume this is when he learned his favorite phrase of "work is fun and fun is work"). After graduating from Junction City High School in 1953, he took much pride in mastering his trade of laying wood floors in northeast Kansas but soon came back to Junction City where he ultimately followed his future wife to Emporia State University. Gary married Mary Anderson on August 2, 1959, and became big brother for life to Mary's four brothers and two sisters. Gary earned a bachelor's degree from ESU in 1962 and a master's degree from Kansas State University in 1974. Gary taught geography, business law, economics and consumer education for 17 years at Junction City High School before leaving teaching to pursue various business interests which included owning and operating furniture stores, a self-storage business, a motel, a small manufacturing and distribution business, and always an active real estate contractor and developer. He designed and constructed over 140 homes and various commercial buildings in the community as well as restoring character and quality in numerous existing homes.

Gary was the kind of teacher who taught students as much about life as about subject content. He looked for the good in every one he met, helping many discover self-potential that might have otherwise been lost, often contributing financial and other resources when needed. Gary was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed watching his sons and grandchildren in sports activities. Another favorite pastime was checking out the creek levels with "5th Son" Ty Glessner. He enjoyed his coffee groups, friends who shared his interest in classic cars, and those he met at the many coin shows he attended in recent years. Gary never lost interest in economics and history related to world affairs and was always willing to offer his thoughts regarding them. He was exceptionally well read and knowledgeable. Gary was a formidable opponent at the bridge table and enjoyed being part of various bridge groups over the years. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and their friends-telling stories, playing cards, and teaching them about nature and life in general.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, James O. Devin, a brother, James R. Devin, and an infant grandson, Christopher Dale Devin. He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, his mother, Vena Devin Rowbotham; sisters Sue Travis, Rockford, MI and Wanda McRae, Junction City; a brother, Paul (Sally) Devin, West Des Moines, IA; and four sons, Doug, Mark, and Dan (Samrie) of Junction City, and Andy (JoAnn) of Lawrence, KS; seven grandsons, three granddaughters, two great grandsons and two great granddaughters; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.