James Patrick McDevitt

Colonel James Patrick "Red" McDevitt, 90, of Falmouth, passed away peacefully at Bridges by Epoch in Mashpee on January 13, 2026. He was the beloved husband of the late Marlene (Rademaker) McDevitt and son of the late Frank and Ellen (Mitchell) McDevitt of Framingham.

Born July 10, 1935 at the Boston Lying-In Maternity Hospital, the oldest of 6 children, the family originally lived in Cambridge until father Frank became Facility Superintendent of the Women's Reformatory in Framingham. At an early age he fell in love with football. During the 1952 and 1953 seasons at Framingham High School, "Red" was a noted Bay State standout running back playing for the Flyers and was nominated for the National High School All-American football squad of 1953. He was also the Massachusetts Class C state champion in the 100 yard dash his Junior year. After receiving an appointment to Annapolis, Midshipman McDevitt reported to the United States Naval Academy in July of 1955. He played "150 pound" class football for the Academy for 2 seasons but after several injuries slowed him down on the gridiron, he decided to return home and pursue another path.

Enrolling at Boston College and Army ROTC, Jim pursued a degree in Political Science and graduated in 1960 and was commissioned August 1st that summer as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. After completion of the Engineer Officer Basic Course at Fort Belvoir, VA Second Lieutenant McDevitt was immediately stationed as an Army Corps of Engineers officer in Metz, France during the Berlin Air Crisis. In his second year deployed he met a new DOD School teacher, Marlene, from Gilman, Wisconsin who would become the love of his life.

On his return from Europe, Jim joined the local Massachusetts National Guard unit in Framingham, the 26th S&T Battalion, part of the 26th Yankee Division. He also started teaching in the Framingham public school system and coaching football at Framingham South High School. At Christmas 1962, he flew to Wisconsin to meet Marlene's family and they were engaged. Married August 1st 1963, the young newlyweds settled in Framingham and quickly became valuable members of the community, involved in Saint Jeremiah's parish, Cub Scouts, Little League and Pop Warner as they raised 2 sons and continued to teach in the public school system. After completing his Masters Degree in Education at Framingham State College, he took a position at Dover-Sherborn Regional High School teaching mathematics and served as the Head Football coach of the Raiders through the 1974 season. Increasing responsibilities with the Massachusetts National Guard included command of the 26th S&T Battalion in Framingham during the Blizzard of 78 and command of the 101st Engineer Battalion.

In 1979, Jim returned to Active Duty serving in various assignments at Fort Belvoir, VA, the Pentagon, Fort McNair, MD, the Presidio of San Francisco, CA and Fort McPherson, GA where he served as General Collin Powell's (Commander of the US 8th Army) US Army National Guard Advisor. In 1991, Jim retired after 30 years of military service and returned to Massachusetts with Marlene. His next career was to serve 10 years as FEMA Region 1 Planning Director headquartered in Boston. He would be deployed for many National Disasters across the country including New York City following the terrorist attacks of September 11th.

Retirement did not slow Jim down. He loved watching football and was an avid Boston College and New England Patriots fan. Having spent time over 20 summers at the Otis Trailer Village on John's Pond, he and Marlene continued to enjoy time with old friends from "OTV". An active member of the Falmouth Elks Lodge, Jim made his daily afternoon appearance for a beer with old and new friends. He enjoyed walking the Falmouth harbor, gardening, "quahoging", and making new acquaintances. He served many years on the Shinning Sea Bike trail committee, the Otis Civilian Advisory Council and the Falmouth "Officers Club" and was a member of the Falmouth DAV.

He was a loving husband, brother, father, uncle and grandfather and will be dearly missed by all who loved him. The family would like to give heartfelt thanks for the incredible care and devotion shown by all the staff at Bridges and the nurses from Caring Hospice of Cape Cod. Jim is survived by his two sons, Brian and Daughter In Law Angie of Falmouth and Mark and Daughter In Law Tammy of Sandwich, his brother Kevin McDevitt of Cambridge, his sisters Ellen Walker of Harwich and Kate Wilde of Ft. Myers, FL, grandsons Griffin and Owen, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings Francis and Rosemary McDevitt.

A visitation will be held at Chapman Funerals and Cremations 475 Main St. Falmouth on Friday January 23, 2026 from 9:00am to 10:30am. A Funeral Mass will follow at St. Patrick's Church 511 Main St. at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Caring Hospice of Cape Cod - Hope Health 1085 North Main St. Providence, RI 02904 Attn: Philanthropy or Friends of the Massachusetts National Guard Museum (friendsmanagmuseum.org) 91 Everett St, Concord, MA 01742.