Edward Wesley “Wes” Devero, 77, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 5th, 2022, surrounded by his family in Norman, OK. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 12th at Emmaus Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK.
Wes was born December 18th, 1944, in Muskogee, OK to Ed and Jaunita Devero. He was raised in Norman, OK where he graduated high school in 1963. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northeastern State University, Wes was enlisted to the U.S. Navy in 1968. Granted leave in March 1970 from his station in Danang, Vietnam, Wes convinced his fiancé, Barbara Matlock, to meet him halfway home, in Hawaii, to exchange vows. This spontaneous and ambitious event would be a hallmark of their marriage and a catalyst for their adventure together that would last the next 52 years.
Honorably Discharged in 1972, Wes went onto complete his master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1974. He began his professional career in Leesburg, VA serving as Asst. City Manager for 3 years, before returning to Oklahoma where he would spend the rest of his career in various municipal and economic development roles at both the city and state levels in multiple communities across the state of Oklahoma. Wes would retire as President of Economic Development in Duncan, OK in 2006. Some of his career highlights included receiving numerous governor and legislature awards for his economic work, serving on several community boards, and being appointed as advisor to both Governor Walters and Governor Keating’s economic development teams. The legacy of his work would be the thousands of jobs created within the state he loved.
Throughout his life, Wes was a devout follower of Christ, most recently a member of Emmaus Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, and a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed golf, fishing, camping, OU Football, playing piano, watching old westerns, wood working projects, and, of course, always dreaming of the next big adventure he and Barbara would take. What started in a wedding chapel on Waikiki Beach would result in a lifetime of big dreams, elaborate stories, happy homes and purposeful time with his family and friends.
Wes is survived by his wife, Barbara (Matlock) Devero, four children: Kristin Cook and husband Doug, Justin Devero and wife Natalie, Brittany Leemaster and husband Kyle, and Grant Devero and wife Katelyn. Wes was blessed with nine grandchildren: Corban, Paige and Dagan Cook; Lindyn, Jack and Ella Devero; Kai and Penn Leemaster; and Evelyn Devero. He is also survived by his sister, Sonya Ketner.
A funeral service for Wes will be held Monday, December 12, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Emmaus Baptist Church, 16001 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73170.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.primrosefuneralservice.com for the Devero family.
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