Patrick Vincent Devlin

1939 - 2020

Patrick Vincent Devlin

Patrick Vincent Devlin was born on November 26, 1939 and died on Thanksgiving, his 81st birthday, after a long illness. Pat was a graduate of Central High School and Oklahoma State University, where he received a degree in communications. Even as a small boy, he was fascinated with electronics and lights and later became an active member in the Ham radio community, installing a tower on top of his house, which he decorated each Christmas. His former home located off Yale Avenue and 35th Street, became a popular holiday drive-by destination, ultimately featuring over 11,000 lights. And though he worked for State Farm Insurance as an adjuster, Pat soon created his event's lighting company, Nightmagic, Inc. With a dedicated group of volunteers, he designed and installed decorations at the Children's Medical Center, using over 70,000 lights and the assistance of 180 helpers; the Pedestrian Bridge over the Arkansas River; the Ford Glass Plant, Woodland Hills Mall, and numerous other commercial and private locations. The Tulsa World dubbed him "Tulsa's Electric Elf", and for many years he brightened the city's spirits. Pat also volunteered with the Oklahoma Special Olympics and served as the electrical chairman of the annual Tulsa Oktoberfest, overseeing the lighting. When he retired, Pat moved to his dream home on Keystone Lake, where he enjoyed hosting parties and spending time with his many friends. For many years, he participated in the lake's Christmas Light Brigade, winning first prize for his boat's elaborate decorations.

Pat was predeceased by his mother, Jean Ricks Devlin, who was a founding member of the "Gillies" at the Gilcrease Museum, and his father, Roger V. Devlin, "The Rambler" columnist, who wrote for The Tulsa Tribune for almost fifty years. He is survived by his daughter, Nikki Devlin Kaltenbach, Owasso, OK, and his son, Sean Devlin, San Antonio, TX.