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Col. Allyn M. Devens USAF, Ret.

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Allyn Devens Obituary

Visit the Legacy Remembers website to view the full obituary.

LONGVIEW — Col. Allyn M. Devens, USAF, Ret., died of natural causes Saturday, September 28, 2013, at the age of 81, at his home on Lake Cherokee.
Al was born and raised in Pennsylvania but upon graduation from high school signed up for a life in the military, initially with the U.S. Army, but as soon as there was an Air Force, he transferred to that branch to follow his dream of being a pilot. He succeeded. Over his 27 years of service he rose in the ranks from an Army buck private to a U.S. Air Force full Colonel Wing Commander.
His passion for flight and self imposed expectation of excellence resulted in Instructor Command Pilot certification in, among other training aircraft, the B-47, B-52 and C-130. He participated, or led air combat forces, in every conflict from the Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis through the war in Vietnam. He retired a highly decorated airman with awards for both excellence and valor, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, our nation's second highest military honor.
While his military career had come to a close, his flying had not. A chance meeting with another pilot led to a second career as a corporate pilot for an energy related Arkansas corporation led by Jerry Jones. For the next 17 years, Al served as Mr. Jones' and the Dallas Cowboys, private pilot. As a member of the team he proudly possessed two Super Bowl rings...and many, many memories.
Upon his second retirement, and at the end of his flying days, he moved to Lake Cherokee and spent his final eight years as a well known story teller, public speaker for local organizations and youth groups and a member of The Church at Lake Cherokee.
Col. Devens is survived by his wife, Cheryl Devens; sister, Betty Carey; son, Dan Devens; daughters, Nancy Devens, Lisa Fiorenza Williams and Michele Fiorenza; grandchildren, Hannah, Jason and Jake Williams; loving family members Pearl, Hazel, Squeeky and Chen; and his extended Lake Cherokee family, including Deb and Brad Connell.
In memoriam, donations are encouraged to a charity of choice, to The Church at Lake Cherokee or to the Humane Society of Gregg County.
A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com