Devon Rex Ivie

Obituary for Devon Rex Ivie

July 18, 1938 – December 7, 2025

Devon Rex Ivie always rose before the sun-driven, purposeful, and determined to greet each day with work to do, and he was always eager to get it done. So it feels just like him that on December 7th, 2025, at 7:11 a.m.-twenty-five minutes before sunrise-he quietly exchanged the labor of this life for the work and glory of eternity.

Even at the end, he met each day with purpose, prayer, and his trademark "I-can-do-it-myself" grit. Though illness had weakened him, he rarely complained. In his practical, matter-of-fact way, he once admitted that "dying was the hardest thing I've ever tried to do."

Devon never sought the spotlight, but since he can't object now, we proudly celebrate a life well and fully lived.

Born July 18, 1938, in Lynndyl, Utah, to Virgil June and Delna Glover Ivie, Devon was the third of six spirited boys. The family moved to Provo in 1939, where he attended Maeser Elementary-sharing a kindergarten classroom with a little girl named Kaye Johnson, his future wife, though neither could have guessed it.

A worker from the start, Devon landed his first paying job at 13 earning thirty-five cents an hour at a Canyon Road service station. He never stopped working after that. Smart, ambitious, and endlessly industrious, he built a lifetime of successful ventures-landscaping, selling and installing water softeners, building and opening five Taco Bandido restaurants throughout Idaho and opening several Papa Murphy's Pizza locations in Utah along with many other and various investments. His entrepreneurial spark and business savvy and work ethic insured the success of each venture.

Devon used his success to lift others. He hired local youth, mentored countless employees, and quietly financed missions and college educations for those who needed help. Perhaps he gave so freely because he knew sacrifice firsthand. After high school, he attended BYU briefly but left when he could no longer afford tuition. Jobs weren't enough for his restless hands, so in 1957, he joined the U.S. Army-enlisting on a Tuesday and leaving for Fort Bliss on Thursday. He served honorably until 1960, becoming the youngest Sergeant E5 in his battalion at just 19. He was stationed in Germany. Soon after leaving the army, he served an honorable LDS mission in the Great Lakes.

In 1962, Devon re-met the girl from kindergarten-Kaye-at church. After four years of on-again, off-again dating, they married on September 3, 1966. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple, sealing their family for eternity. His wife, daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers and his family's legacy were the great joys of his life.

Devon lived with clarity about what mattered: faith, family, integrity, and the simple pleasure of doing good work well. He served faithfully in many church callings-from bishop to nursery worker-and brought the same dedication to both.

A man of many talents, Devon was a master craftsman and outdoorsman. His hands built furniture, frames, a family home, and even a wooden drift boat. His photographs and leatherwork fill the homes of those he loved. He hunted, fished, skied, golfed, gardened, and devoured good books. He enjoyed beautiful music, and never said no to black licorice, black jelly beans, or BYU sports. He always said he bled BYU blue. His philosophy was simple: If you're going to do something, do it well and get it done.

Devon is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kaye J. Ivie; his daughter Jackie (Dan) Cobbley; granddaughters Chelsi Linderman and Lacy (Hank) Grover; nine treasured great-grandchildren-Bodee, Tyce, and Cruz Grover; Ivie and Liam Linderman; Kaipo, Dante, and Sloan Hurtt; Lucy Armstrong-two great-great grandchildren, Melei and Makoa Hurtt; in-laws Kris and Ted Lee; his five wonderful brothers-Virgil, Douglas, Lewis (Bonnie), and Max (Linda); and extended family including Kent Sutton and Ivan Hurtt; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Melvin Ivie; and grandson Trevor Linderman.

His wry humor, wise counsel, generous service, and faithful example will be deeply missed. He leaves behind a legacy of craftsmanship, kindness, determination, and love-one that will continue to shape the lives of all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 15, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Ward Chapel, 4300 N Canyon Road, Provo, Utah.

Viewings will be held Sunday, December 14, from 5–7 p.m. at Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 N University Avenue, Provo, and Monday from 9–10:15 a.m. at the church.

Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Fountain Green Cemetery, 486 N State Street, Fountain Green, Utah.

Arrangements are entrusted to Nelson Family Mortuary.