Stanley William Devereux

1960 - 2018

Stanley William Devereux, age 58, died peacefully on the morning of June 1, 2018, in Elk Grove, California. He lost a courageous five-month battle with brain cancer after being diagnosed with a Glioblastoma. He was born March 18, 1960 in Sacramento, to William John and Mary Louise (Reckers) Devereux and was the grandson of Judge Stanley and Katharine (Geary) Reckers of Sacramento. He is survived by his loving family, wife of 33 years, Gwendolyn (Burgard); son William of Seattle, WA; daughter Amy of San Francisco, CA; son Thomas, daughter Laura and Isaak Juntunen of Boise, ID; and daughter Joanna. Stan is also survived by his mother Mary of Roseville, CA and brothers John of Manhattan Beach, CA; Robert of Mesa, AZ; David of Aliso Viejo, CA; and five nephews and eight nieces. He was preceded in death by his father. Stan graduated from Washington State University's Edward R. Murrow School of Communications in 1982, having double majored in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science. He also attended Cal State Fullerton prior to transferring to WSU. In 1978, Stan graduated from Sonora High School in La Habra, CA. Since the family had been transferred several times throughout the 70's, Stan attended three different high schools including Sonora; Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois, and two years at Spring High School in Spring, Texas. He played both football and baseball at each high school, earning the nickname "Tex" at Sonora, where he was a tackle on the football team and starting catcher for baseball. After high school, Stan went on to umpire high school and semi-pro baseball. Over the past two years, Stan was the Executive Director of The Catholic Foundation, working for the Diocese of Sacramento. Prior to that, he was Vice President with Pac/ West Communications; Director of Public and Government Affairs for the California Earthquake Authority; Assistant State Treasurer and Director of Communications for California State Treasurer Matt Fong; Deputy Board Member and Chief of Staff for California Board of Equalization Member Matt Fong; External Affairs Manager for the Western States Petroleum Association; and staff member of the CA State Senate GOP Caucus. After graduating from WSU, Stan worked as a television news reporter and producer in Fairbanks, AK; Medford, OR and Sacramento, CA. Stan was devoted to his faith, family, and friends. He had an infectious smile and always put others first. He was a master of puns, loved to quote movies, talk politics, listen to music, and make people laugh. He was also a diehard fan of the San Francisco Giants and his WSU Cougars. Stan was an active member of the Catholic Church, serving on the parish council, taking on the roles of Lector and Eucharistic Minister, training altar servers, ministering to those in need through St. Vincent de Paul, and taking Holy Communion to the sick. Over the past four years, Stan was studying to become a deacon. Although the cancer prevented him from completing formation, he used his illness as a time to focus on others, devoting himself to prayer for those most in need of God's mercy. We ask for your prayers at this time of loss. A prayer vigil with eulogies to be held Thursday, June 7 at 6pm at St. Mary's Catholic Church. A funeral mass on Friday, June 8 at 10am at St. Mary's Church. Burial at St. Mary's Cemetery. Reception following at St. Mary's Church. Flowers can be sent to St. Mary's Catholic Church (1333 58th St, Sacramento, CA 95819). Alternatively, donations can be made to the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Sacramento (https://www.scd.org/donate) or the American Brain Tumor Association (abta.org).