FREDERICKTOWN – Brady Devore Jr., 90, of Fredericktown, was reunited with his wife and love of his life on Saturday, Jan. 30, following a brief illness. He was able to receive calls and visits with loved ones in his final days and was with two of his grandchildren at the time of his passing.
Brady was born on Sept. 28, 1930, in New Matamoras, to Brady John and Ora Mae (Patterson) Devore. He was the oldest living son of 15 children and helped his mother with the homestead.
Brady proudly served in the Merchant Marines and in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He had several jobs over the years but worked at Cooper Energy Services for nearly 30 years and retired from there in 1992.
Upon his return from the service, he married his soulmate and partner in life, Helen Marie (Sams) Devore. They were married on Dec. 18, 1954. Helen was one of a kind, just like her husband. He described her as one of the most interesting people he had ever met. Over the years, they enjoyed time spent with friends and family, visits to the Grand Ole Opry, to St. Louis to visit their son, and to Florida to visit his brother. They took Eagle Rock Tours to New England and Branson, Missouri. They also loved trips to Amish Country to meet up with family; as well as listening to Bluegrass music, especially Chestnut Ridge. They were married for nearly 64 years until her passing on Nov. 26, 2017. Their love could be seen by everyone, and they were an example of dedication. They were parents and grandparents to everyone they met. They never met a stranger and enjoyed every minute of their lives.
Brady enjoyed and was proud of his family first and foremost. He was a doting grandfather and great-grandfather and up until just a few years ago could be found on the floor of his living room playing with them. He and Grandma had a candy shelf at their house for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they loved to spoil them with sweets!
Brady was a wealth of knowledge and took an interest in his family’s different activities and hobbies. He was supportive and would be there whenever needed. The word "no" was not in his vocabulary, and he was one of the most honest people you could meet. You could find him reading a good book; playing cards; gardening; watching Judge Judy, a western or Green Acres; or washing his car. If you couldn’t find him, he was probably taking Grandma to Walmart or out to eat at Watt’s or Friendly’s, at the library, taking a walk or having breakfast with the Coopers/Rolls Royce retirees at Southside Diner. In the last several years, he really enjoyed his Tuesday morning breakfasts with his sons and grandson. He was an amazing role model and always had a smile on his face. He was eternally optimistic and grateful for his life and family, to which he showed unconditional love. He was irreplaceable and will be missed every day by his family.
Left to cherish Brady’s memory are his three children, Darrell (Linda) Devore, Darlene (Korinna Waddell) Rousseau and Duane Brady Devore; 11 grandchildren, Carrie Rousseau, Nicole (Jacob Lashley) Rousseau, Louie (Christianne) Ballesteros, Derek Brady (Sammy) Devore, Jason (Megan) Devore, Zane Smith, Christine (Jacob) Lang, Katelyn Lewis, Lisa (Devin) Wears, David (Rileigh) Devore and Kimberly Devore; and eight great-grandchildren, Jacob, Noah, Shawn, Camryn, Zander, Zavier, Carter and Kyrie. Brady had 14 brothers and sisters; surviving are Rollie Dean (Theresa) Devore of Mount Vernon, Susan (Bill) Lamp, Phyllis McCoy of East Liverpool, Ohio, Bonnie (Clete) Miles of Summerfield, Florida, and sister-in-law Edna Devore of Metropolis, Illinois; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Brady was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Helen Marie (Sams) Devore; siblings, Clifford Devore, Grace (Clifford) Proctor, Lillian (Dempsey) Jones, Blanche (Perley) Jones, AdaMae (Dave) Greenwald, Boyd Devore, Lester (Betty) Devore, Richard (Judy) Devore, Norma Jean Walcott and Anna Ruth La Clair.
The family would like to extend a thank you to the ICU team at KCH for taking great care of Brady in his final days. A special thank you also to Sydney for facilitating phone calls and allowing his family to say their goodbyes, and to Andy for taking excellent care of him in his last hours.
A celebration of Brady’s life will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Vernon Public Library, the Knox County Parks District or your local library or parks department.
Please feel free to share your favorite memory of Brady with us.
To view this obituary or leave the family a memory, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
