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DEVANEY -- John DeVaney, age 67, died peacefully in Mesa, AZ on October 1, 2005, following several years of declining health. Although currently living in Mesa, AZ, John had previously lived and worked in Denver, CO; Gallup, NM; Albuquerque, NM; Minneapolis, MN; Farmington, NM; Phoenix, AZ; and Tyler, TX. He was the son of Reverend Glendell DeVaney and Bernadine DeVaney. He was born September 23, 1938 in Elwood, IN. He attended grade school in Elwood and high school in Gallup, NM. John received an Associate of Arts in Criminology from Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, CO in 1972, a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Adams State College, Alamosa, CO in 1973, and a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from Adams State College, Alamosa, CO in 1974. He was very proud that he was on the President's Academic list of Outstanding Academic Performance at Arapahoe Community College and on the Dean's Honor Roll and President's Honor Society at Adams State College. John (a.k.a. "Big John") served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He then worked as a policeman in Holbrook, AZ and Gallup, NM and later was an intern with the Navajo Police Department, Window Rock, AZ. He volunteered with the NM Mounted Patrol, an Auxiliary Unit of the NM State Police, the NM Rangers, and NM State Firemen - always trying to provide a safe environment for the communities he served. Following college graduation, he continued his law enforcement career as a policeman in Northglenn, CO, as the director of the Law Enforcement Program at Normandale Community Collete, Bloomington, MN and as a private criminology consultant. He also served as a youth counselor at Adobe Mountain Juvenile Institution, AZ Department of Corrections, Phoenix, AZ. John was proud of his lifetime membership in the International Association of Chiefs of Police and was a member of the Elks Lodge in Alamosa, CO. Following his criminology career, John became involved in a variety of entrepreneurial adventures - including a Xerox copy shop, Turquoise Pardners (Indian arts and crafts) and real estate property development. He was a pioneer in Internet marketing - one of the first in the U.S. to establish a retail Internet website in 1992, and he developed numerous websites for friends. He was a "wheeler dealer" extraordinaire, loving swap meets, computer innovations, and visioning future dreams and creations. Following retirement, he enjoyed traveling in his Allegro RV bus and initiating development of an RV park near Tyler, TX. He was married to Joyce Waterstreet in Kewaunee, WI on June 13, 1970. Srviving John are his wife, Joyce; his father, Glendell; brothers, Dave, Jim, and Ralph; sister, Edith (Campbell); sisters-in-law, Louise DeVaney, Rose Bentley, and Rayette DeVaney; sons, Robert, John, and Michael from previous marriages; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; 13 nephews and nieces; and numerous great-nephews and -nieces. His miniature poodles, Chelsea and Duke, will miss him too. His mother, Bernadine, and brother, Glendell Joe, preceded him in death. Big John loved life and loved his family and friends. The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers, love and support during his illness. He leaves a legacy of commitment and generous caring for dear friends all over the country. He made friends everywhere he went because of his outgoing, friendly personality. He will be dearly missed. A celebration of John's life will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2005 at the Holiday Inn, Deming, NM, at 1:00 p.m., followed by lunch. Family and friends are invited to pay tribute to John and highlight good times and precious memories. Please RSVP Joyce DeVaney by Friday, October 14, 2005 at 480-832-7525 or email: jdevaney6@cox.net. In lieu of flowers, a DeVaney Scholarship fund will be established for the grandchildren's education. Please send contributions to Joyce DeVaney, 6215 E. Albany St., Mesa, AZ 85205.
        Published on: Sun October 09, 2005