John Joseph Deveny Jr.

John J. Deveny Jr., 80, of Stillwater, died peacefully at home on September 17, 2024, following a short illness.

He was born on August 30, 1944 in San Antonio, Texas to John J. Deveny Sr. and Mary Ray Deveny. The family later moved to Morrisville, New York where he grew up with his two younger brothers.

John attended SUNY Buffalo where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with his Bachelor’s degree in Spanish. He later received his PhD in Spanish from the University of Florida in Gainesville. 

In 1970, he moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma to start his career teaching Spanish at Oklahoma State University. He taught at OSU for 47 years, breaking a record for the longest teaching career in department history. He was highly regarded by his students and recognized with many awards and achievements throughout the years.

John married his beloved wife Eivi in 1984. He had two sons and one daughter. He was a loving and devoted father and his children were the apple of his eye. He was a family man who always put his wife and children first.

He was a long time member of St. John and St. Francis Xavier Catholic parishes. He had a gift for listening to and helping others, and he was able to use that gift when he joined the church’s Stephen ministry program. He had a passion for collecting vintage Lionel model trains and also loved John Deere tractors. He was a member of the Amateur Radio Club. In his free time, he enjoyed reading, writing, watching OSU football, traveling, and bird watching. 

He is survived by his wife, Eivi Deveny of Stillwater; sons Jake (Karen) Deveny of Columbus, Ohio and Mark (Sabrina) Deveny of Stillwater; daughter Suzanne (Vince) Butler of Tulsa; grandchildren Max and Daphne Deveny, Mila and Lily Deveny, and Olivia and Sophia Butler. He is also survived by his brothers Thomas Deveny (Isabel Valiela) of Westminster, Maryland and George Deveny of Little Falls, New York.

The funeral service will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 10 am followed by a burial service at Fairlawn Cemetery and luncheon at St. Francis Xavier. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com.