John Robert Devitt

1920 - 2017

February 11, 1920 - August 3, 2017
John Robert Devitt, age 97, died peacefully on August 3, 2017 after a brief illness. He was born on February 11, 1920 in St. Paul, MN to John James Devitt and Mary Evelyn (Healy). He was preceded in death by his first wife of 43 years, Burnell Ann (Peters) of St. Paul, MN; son, Timothy John; and daughter, Baby Girl Devitt. He is survived by his second wife of 31 years, Edith Wilhelmina (Diesing) of Clinton, IA; sons, Kevin Richard (Heather) and Paul Alan (Daniela); daughter, Kathleen Ann (John Payne); and five grandchildren, Lindsey, Ryan, Sara, Lauren, and Caitlin.

John proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for 30 years. He served with distinction as a Troop Carrier pilot during WWII, which included two glider-towing missions on D-day. After the war, he got his Bachelor's degree in Library Science from the University of Minnesota where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He continued to fly as a reserve Air Force officer. During the Korean War he was called to active duty to serve as an ROTC assistant professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Continuing his active duty career after the war, he obtained his Master's degree in Education in 1960 from Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. John served as an Electronic Warfare pilot during the Vietnam War and on August 30, 1967, at the age of 47, received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions while flying one of many dangerous missions. John retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1972. He worked as a real estate and investment broker after leaving the Air Force, retiring in 1977 from his second career.

John was a great man who led a long and full life. Those whose lives he touched, both friends and family, loved his quick wit and Irish baritone voice. Cheers to you John, you are loved and will be dearly missed by all. We remember too that those who live on in the hearts and memory of loved ones never truly die.

He will be interred November 6, 2017 at 2 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX.


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