Shannon DeVries
Robert Lee DeVries of Livingston, Texas passed away in Longmont, Colorado on Saturday,
January 8, 2022.
Robert L Devries (Bob) was born in San Bernardino, California on March 28, 1947 to Melvin Ray DeVries and Virginia Cecilia Georgeou. His Uncle Jim and Aunt Beverly Georgeou raised Bob from the age of 10 years old. While growing up, many weekends and during the summers, they would spend time at the family cabin in Whitney Portals. It was here Bob was taught to fish, learned to appreciate nature and the importance of family. He attended Charter Oak High School in Covina, California.
After high school, Bob bought and ran a small gas station in Azusa, California. He joined the local Kiwanis Club where he supported civic causes and competed in their bowling league. In 1973 Bob met the love of his life Kerry Lee Dempsey. It all started with a blind date. Bob and Kerry were married two years later, they have two daughters Shannon and Jamie. Shortly after they were married, Bob went to work for his good friends Ray and Paula Malone at Mc Donald’s in Azusa. In 1982, Bob was offered a job at Citrus Community College in Glendora, California. Allowing him to remain in the Azusa area, he started working as a Custodian at Citrus College staying there 25 years. Despite having a visual impairment, he worked this job, often walking there and back, not letting these things deter him from providing for his family.
In 2004, he had the joy and surprise of finding five additional siblings. Prior to this time he was unaware he had a larger family. Bob and Kerry were happy to meet and be warmly welcomed into this expanded family.
Once he retired in 2007, Bob and Kerry moved to Wyoming to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren. As a Southern California native, Bob hated the wind and snow. So in 2011, family circumstances provided an opportunity to migrate south to Livingston Texas. Bob and Kerry became a active members of the Escapees at Rainbow’s End Community. They both made many new friends and became close with their neighbors. Bob enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Always quite the social butterfly, Bob welcomed talking with strangers always willing to lend an ear or shoulder.
A few of Bob’s passions were watching wrestling (WWE), playing cards (cheating was only bad if he got caught) and cheering on the Rams. Everyone that knew Bob surely has a story or memory that make them chuckle when they think about him.
Bob DeVries is survived by his wife Kerry DeVries, sisters; Leslie Kruger; Laura Durkin-DeVries (David); Cheryl Hoppe (Willie); his brothers; Louis DeVries; Michael DeVries (Rosie); Danny Kobler (Sandy); His two daughters Shannon DeVries and Jamie Weber (son in law, Travis Weber). Grandchildren; Kacie Ramirez (Luis); Joey Brucato, James Weber, Gracie Brucato, Robert Weber, Travis Weber Jr. and Leona Weber. Great-Grandchildren; Evelyn Salcido and Ezra Ramirez, Mother-In-Law, Alice Dempsey and Brother and Sister in law Bob and Nancy Dempsey along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that became family.
He was predeceased by his Mother; Virginia Merkle, Father; Melvin Ray DeVries, Uncle James Georgeou, Aunt Beverly Georgeou; Brothers; Franklin Ross DeVries, John Kobler, and Father-in-Law; Thomas J. Dempsey
