Michael Gerald (Gerry) Devlin passed away at home and in his sleep the morning of Nov. 6, 2015 at age 84.
He was born on September 11, 1931 in Miles City to Michael Barnard and Jeanette McDowell Devlin. He attended Pershing School in rural Prairie County, Terry grade school, and Sacred Heart grade school in Miles City. He attended high school in Terry and graduated in 1949. After a brief tenure at the University of Montana, he returned to the family ranch in northern Prairie County. In 1951, he was drafted into the US Army, and was stationed in California for several months before being sent to southern France. He was released from active duty in mid 1953 and returned to the family ranch. Later he would look on time in the military as a big step to maturity. In 1954 he married Jane Ann Reeves and they resided on the ranch until 1958, when she was stricken with cancer and passed away at age 23. In 1959, he married Mary Isabelle Gonzales who had come to Terry to teach in the high school. They combined a family of 3 sons. Gerry and Isabelle continued operating the ranch until 1999 when they moved to Miles City. During those ranch years schooling for the 3 boys often required Isabelle to move to town during the school year. She taught at Sacred Heart High School for 5 years while in Miles City. They were married for 53 years. Gerry learned to fly in the early 1970’s and purchased a Piper Super Cub to try and control predators with some success. He was active in the Montana Wool Growers Association and served on the board of directors for several years. He was elected president of the association in 1985. It was during those years he became interested in state politics and ran successfully in 1980 for the Montana House of Representatives. After serving for 8 years in that body, he ran for the Montana Senate where he remained for 12 years, serving the people of Custer, Rosebud, and Prairie Counties. He was Chairman of House Tax Committee in 1985 and chaired Senate Tax in 1995, 1997, and 1999. Through all those years, he developed many lifelong friends in both political parties. His political philosophy was “if it’s not broken, don’t try to fix it ….. and, don’t do for the people what they can do for themselves”.
Gerry was preceded in death by his wife Isabelle (Gonzales) Devlin, his wife Jane (Reeves) Devlin, and a daughter-in-law Susan (Segelke) Devlin. He is survived by his son Ron of Terry MT, his son Todd and his sons Owen, Everett, and Henry all of Terry, MT, his son Tom of Miles City, MT and his sons Michael of Miles City, MT and Tyler of Missoula, MT.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 9, 2015 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. A Vigil service will be held on Monday, November 9, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. If friends desire to contribute to a cause or entity in Gerry’s memory, please do of your own choosing.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday November 9, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry, MT 59349
Vigil Service
7:00 p.m.
Monday November 9, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday November 10, 2015
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
following funeral Mass
Tuesday November 10, 2015
Eastern Montana Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday November 9, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry, MT 59349
Vigil Service
7:00 p.m.
Monday November 9, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday November 10, 2015
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
following funeral Mass
Tuesday November 10, 2015
Eastern Montana Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, MT 59301
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Jim and Katy Schmitz says
Ron, Todd and Tom Very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. It was only about six weeks ago we were having drinks after golf and he was his usual jovial self.
Sonja Crocker says
So sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. The four of us had some good times together at Stockgrowers and CattleWomen Conventions. I know you all have wonderful memories for you to share with family.
Sandi Kohones and Jon Wilkerson says
We are so sorry to hear about Gerry! We had some wonderful conversations while he was in HRH . He was so much fun to talk to and reminisce with. He will be missed.
Farrell & Joni Reeves says
Todd, we are very sorry for your loss. Joni and I will continue to keep you and the rest of your family in our prayers.
Patti (Terhaar) Jesso says
Ron, Todd and Tom, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. He truly was a wonderful man and will be missed by many. What a legacy he has left you all with. I will be praying for your comfort and for the repose of his soul.
Marlene Huckins says
Tom, I am so sorry about your dad passing. I just lost of mom Sat, and I know it is so hard. Hang in there am thinking of you
Darlene Strobel says
Todd,Ron & family, You are in my thoughts and prayers. I always enjoyed the visits we had when we met and the smile he shared as we greeted one another.
cliff and lila glade says
Ron, Todd, Tom and family, We were so sorry to hear about Gerry, now it seems a whole generation is gone, and we are all that is left. I feel bad that I didn’t get to see him in Oct. when I was up there, something I put off that I shouldn’t have. Gerry was admirable in a lot of ways, but in my heart, he will always stand out for being so good to my mom, right to the end. He was a true friend and an upstanding man.
Todd Devlin says
I would like to thank the community for all your support. Gerry was a great guy with a sense of humor that made people smile and laugh countless times.
Just to let everyone know …… Gerry wrote his own obituary about 2 years ago. We left it pretty much as is when we typed it up. It was interesting that he wrote things about his life that we would have never thought of great improtance, but he did.
We will miss him. His wit, knowlege, and humor were priceless.
Terry Bass says
Ron …May your dad rest In peace.. With a twinkle in his eye he has the keys to Heaven. So be good! Regards to all of you. Tbass
Cheyenne Glade Wilson says
Todd, Ron, Tom and Family……I was so sad to hear about Gerry’s passing this morning. I loved his humor and for what he stood for. I will never forget him giving the eulogy at my Grandpa Art’s funeral. It’s funny the things you remember about a person. I remember how eloquent he was when he spoke and I admired him a lot. He was always kind to me and wrote me one heck of a reference when I was looking for work when I was just getting started in life. I will remember him forever. He and Isabelle were special to me. As mom said, an entire generation is now gone. I am really sad about this. I know how close he and my Gram were and I am thankful that they had that. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
charlotte Haughian says
Ron Todd and Tom I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. he was a great guy. I remember him with fond memories in the sheep corral sorting sheep or shearing. I’ll also rember him at the wool growers Ram sell how much fun and laughter we had. Sincerely with many prayers for you and your families God bless.
Wanda Gresens Harbaugh says
I remember your dad from the mid-90’s when he was serving in the senate . He was a very eloquent man and great person to represent eastern Montana . He was a fun person to visit with and always had a big smile and stronge hand shake for everyone . You all must be very proud to have had him for your father. May he rest in peace.
Cheryl K Stevenson says
Prayers to the Devlin families an so sorry for your loss. He was an amazing man with lots to offer everyone an anyone. He was very kind an always made you feel important. He will be greatly missed.
Kelly and Dulcy Hubbert says
We were so saddened to hear of Gerry’s passing. He was a wonderful man. I will treasure the memories I have of working with him while he was a legislator and I worked for the Legislative Council. I had the grand opportunity to work with both he and Isabelle during the a few legislative sessions. RIP Gerry and fly among the angels!
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Devlin Family: Jerry was a true friend and even though time may pass between our visits , he was always ready to extend friendship and remember the times spent together. I will always value his friendship and remember his laugh. My prayers are with all of you.
Scott and Loretta Andrews says
Todd, We’re so sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Bob Marks says
Gerry was a true friend. I enjoyed his association for many years in the Legislature, where he had many friends of both parties. Barb and I visited their ranch in Terry and enjoyed he and and Isabelle’s hospitality. Gerry’s wit and spontaneous laugh were a lovable part of his character. He served his community and country well. He was a good man. God bless the family.
Susan Andersen says
We worked with Sen. Devlin for the years he was in the Senate, and as the staff we want you all to know how very special “Mr. Montana” was to us. Rosana, Susan, Janean, Lynn, Judy, Chuckie, Bev, and Shirley. We get together often and the next time I have them here, we will light a candle in his honor. You have our most sincere sympathies…he was a great guy.
Chuck Swysgood says
Gerry was a very special friend. He was a great Legislator and I will always remember the good times we spent together for so many years. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. God bless.
Dan Gaughan says
Ron, so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I always enjoyed chatting with him and your mom when I would run into them during the legislative sessions. Take care my friend.
Dan & Linda Gaughan
Lon and Vicki Reukauf says
Ron, Todd, Tom & family,
We were so very sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. He always seemed to be at least a decade younger than he was, and we always enjoyed his spirit and visits with him. He and Isabelle and Walt and Phyllis had a lot of good memories together, and Phyllis always looked forward to his faithful weekly visits when she lived in town. He was the last of that treasured generation on Cherry Creek, and he will be fondly remembered, not only for his wisdom and witty sense of humor, but for his wonderful family he left behind whom we are lucky to have as neighbors and friends.
pat hanlan says
My mom, Emerine Hanlan, always said what is good man Gerry was and how much she enjoyed teaching his boys at the Pershing School. Pat
Doug and Diane Ellingson says
Ron, Todd, Tom, and Family, Will always remember Gerry having time to talk sports and officiating. He will be missed by all. Our condolences. Doug and Diane
Jo Ryan says
Devlin Family, Gerry was a great guy, kind, compassionate, civic minded, funny, are just a very few words that describe him. Gerry and Isabelle were such good friend of my folks, and they had such fun together. I was glad I could retrieve his hat for him on a couple of occasions. He had a habit of leaving it behind. I can just see the welcoming he will get in
Heaven. He knew lots of great people. Rest in Peace Gerry. Keep smiling.
Del Linda Frost and Barry Rakes says
Dear Tom, Todd, Ron and families, Gerry was a wonderful guy, so full of life and a very contagious laugh. I enjoyed being around both your parents, they were very special and truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
John and Betty Murphy says
We were so sorry to read in the paper about loosing Gerry, we had lots of good times with him and Isabelle, especially at Wool Growers meetings and conventions. Saw him several times at Wal Mart in Miles city. So Sorry——— John and Betty
Jack & Charlotte Murnion says
Todd, Ron and all: I am speechless, and you know that is hard to do. Charlotte and I would see your Dad every time we went to Mass in Miles City on Saturday night. He would laugh at me trying to golf every time I saw him at the Country Club. We are sorry he is gone to us and we will miss him.
Dean Holmes says
We attempted to arrange our schedule to drive down for the funeral service. It looks impossible at this moment. Please know that I have Jerry in my mind and heart. You all have enjoyed a wonderful father and grand father. Please accept our prayers for a great man.
Teddy Robertson says
Dear Todd,
I’m so sorry. I know what your going through as I lost my dad. I just wanted you to know your in my thoughts. Many Hugs,Teddy
Casey & Cindy Phalen says
Sorry to here this everyone our prayers are with you.
Mike Bissell says
Ron, Todd and Tom, so sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. Your Dad had the ability to make one feel almost special, no matter how infrequently I would run into him he always remembered me, and we could talk as if we had been in constant contact. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I will miss him, he was a special man! Mike
lynn staley says
To Ron and the family of Gerry. My sincerest sympathy over the loss of one of my favorite men. Gerry was a true Montanan and a great legislator. He and I have shared so many laughs over the many legislative sessions we spent with each other. He and his beautiful bride Isabelle will always be remembred by me. May he rest in peace.
Wyatt Glade says
Dear Devlin Family,
I am sorry for your loss. Gerry was an unforgettable character. I really enjoyed my conversations with him. I really appreciated his helping my grandmother as she grew older, he was very kind to her. he will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Wyatt Glade