Thomas Devey

Thomas Albert "Tad" Devey, 88 of Lehi, Utah, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Saturday, August 20, 2022 in the presence of family. He was born on May 26, 1934 in Alpine Utah to Albert Melvin and Zetta Fugate Devey. He grew up in Fort Canyon with his younger sister, Elizabeth Jane on the family fruit farm. He attended the old Alpine Elementary School, American Fork Junior High and High School. He graduated in the class of '52.

Tad joined the Utah National Guard in 1952, serving in Headquarters and Service Co. 1457 Engineer Battalion C eventually attaining the rank of staff sergeant. Tad was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He married a Lehi Utah girl, Rhea Lee Gray, in the Salt Lake Temple April 21, 1954. The couple had six children: Shirley Lee, Michael Grant, Patti Ann, Sandra Kay, Lisa Gay, and Thomas Melvin. They were the proud grandparents of 20 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. The past few years Tad enjoyed sending Christmas cards with a little cash to all his descendants.

Rhea passed away November 6, 2006, after a long illness. Tad patiently cared for her while she was bedridden for many years. In 2007 Tad met and married Geraldine Gregory in Salt Lake City. She knew him as "Tom." They moved to the Chicago area to be closer to her family. When Gerry passed away in 2016, he returned to Utah, and was living with Shaun and Jenny Blakesley in Lehi, Utah.

Tad worked for the Utah Department of Corrections from 1965 to 1987. After retirement, he took over the janitorial service at the Alpine Country Club. Later he would spend 9 years doing similar work for the Wasatch Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City. He enjoyed bowling, hunting, and camping out with his grandsons. He loved anything to do with guns and learned to reload his own ammo. He was a voracious reader of military history and books by Winston Churchill.

He is survived by 3 of his daughters, Shirley (George) Hatfield, Patti (Harold) Blakesley and Lisa (Bryon) Bowen; sister Elizabeth Jane (Frank) Wagstaff. Preceded in death, by his parents, Wives, Rhea, and Geraldine, 2 sons Michael Grant and Thomas Melvin Devey, daughter Sandra Kay Ovard, and two granddaughters, Laura Blakesley Klinger, and Dixie Brockway. The family wishes to thank all those who expressed concern and love throughout his illness.

Funeral services will be held on Friday August 26, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Highland 12th Ward Stake Center. A viewing be take place from 9:30 - 10:30 am at the church prior to the funeral services. Burial will be in the Alpine City Cemetery. Please share a memory on Thomas's tribute wall.