John Leo "Jack" DEVNEY

1938 - 2021

Jack Devney died surrounded by family in his home on June 17, 2021. Jack was born September 21, 1938 in Duluth, Minnesota to John Leo Devney and Madeline Genevieve Devney. Jack followed his mother and father to Little Falls, Minnesota after John returned from the South Pacific at the end of World War II. Jack grew up in Little Falls where he and his father enjoyed hunting and fishing in central Minnesota. Jack was an accomplished student and an Eagle Scout. After graduating from Little Falls High School, he was accepted to Notre Dame-a place that meant a great deal to Jack throughout his life. Upon graduation from Notre Dame, he returned to Minnesota to enroll in law school at the University of Minnesota. Aftercompletion of law school, Jack took a position with the Attorney General of Alaska. Jack rose to the ranks quickly to become an Assistant Attorney General and subsequently worked in private practice with several firms in Anchorage. In 1967, Jack again returned to Minnesota to become Special Assistant Attorney General where he handled a number of significant cases for the State. Jack left public service in 1969 and joined the law firm of Briggs & Morgan where he enjoyed a long and productive career amidst men who would become not only his close colleagues but dearest of friends. Jack's professional career was marked by his intelligence, his drive and commitment to serve his clients in litigation. Jack's career led him to the Minnesota and U.S. Supreme Courts where he made arguments in the highest courts in the land. Jack met, and shortly thereafter, married Judith (Judy) Higgins (Devney) in Bismarck, North Dakota in 1970. Jack and Judy had three children; John L. Devney IV, Elizabeth (Liz) Erin Devney (Brandel) and Joseph (Joe) Patrick Devney. Jack and Judy raised their children on the shores of White Bear Lake and loved their community and many dear friends in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. Jack and Judy moved to the Minnetonka area to be closer to Liz and her family and enjoyed their time there until Judy's passing in 2016. After Judy's passing, Jack met and married Mary Shrallow (Devney) in April of 2018. Mary loved and cared for Jack dutifully allowing him to stay home and providing for his high quality of life to the end. Jack's great loves, beyond his family and work, were hunting and fishing. Jack's love of the outdoors started along his father's side-trolling walleyes on Mille Lacs, hunting ducks east of Little Falls or many trips on the Mississippi River. Jack loved hunting and fishing with friends at the Northwest Angle of Lake of the Woods, a duck camp that he established on Sucker Bay of Leech Lake, his time as a member of the Long Meadow Gun Club, fishing for walleyes below the Blanchard Dam or frequent trips to the North Dakota prairies. Jack is survived by his wife Mary, his children John (Carmen), Liz (Joe), Joe and grandchildren Odelia and Cullen Brandel and Katherine, John and James Devney. A small private family funeral is to be held. Memorials in Jack's name can be made to: Catholic Charities, 1200 2nd Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55403 www. cctwincities.org/donate/donate-now/