George Devers

A Celebration of the Life of

George Thomas Devers

(January 4, 1932 — January 2, 2022)

George Thomas Devers was born January 4, 1932, in Denver, Colorado to Elizabeth Smith Devers Bates and Ross Devers. His mother worked hard at multiple jobs to support George and his younger brother Richard, who was born in September 1933. George graduated from William Smith High School in 1950.  In addition to receiving his diploma, George also met his lifelong partner, Anna Shaffer. In the fall of 1949, Ann asked George to be her date to the Sadie Hawkins Dance and the rest is history.

After graduation, George worked at Great Western Sugar and joined the Air National Guard. He was soon called to active duty in the Korean War as an Airman First Class and stationed at Cannon Airforce Base in New Mexico. Post his honorable discharge he continued in the Air National Guard and achieved the rank of Staff Sargent.

George returned to Denver and entered a Management Trainee program at Hested’s Department Store, where Ann worked as the office secretary. They were married on April 18, 1953, at Messiah Lutheran Church. George took a position managing a Hested’s in Steamboat Springs, and a few years later in Hardin, Montana and then returned to Denver to manage the Park Hill Store.

George and Ann welcomed their son, Kevin Dale, on May 29, 1961. Tragically, Kevin died of a cerebral hemorrhage on December 23rd of that year. As Ann would say, “He was loaned to us, and then reclaimed by his heavenly father.”

George began his long, satisfying career at AAA in 1965. He had a variety of positions that enabled him to utilize his managerial skills and love of travel.  Ann shared this “wanderlust,” and they had wonderful trips together. As members of “Ports of Call,” they went on 17 Ocean Cruises to explore many exotic ports around the world. They also enjoyed three bus tours in Europe and two River Cruises. They shared interesting and sometimes challenging experiences as they kept broadening their horizons. George retired from AAA in 2008 after 43 years of service.

George and Ann were faithful members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Aurora for decades, where they made many dear friends. George was chief usher for most of those years and served in several other leadership positions. When St. Matthew closed, they joined St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, also in Aurora. George enjoyed church, supporting Ann’s many sporting endeavors, and going out to eat with friends. Thanksgiving was always a special time shared with Richard’s son Bob and his family around a scrumptious feast. He also kept up with Ann’s sister Betty Barwinski and her family.

Ann and George made the move to The Courtyards at Mountain View in February 2018 — first to independent living and then later to assisted living. Ann suffered a severe stroke and passed away peacefully on October 28, 2019. They had been married for over 63 years.

George soldiered on and especially bonded with his tablemates at The Courtyards. He survived the challenges of COVID and the lockdowns, but mobility became an increasing challenge. He was hospitalized for double pneumonia and an infection in early December, but the chronic challenges of diminished health continued in a steady decline. George died peacefully at UCHealth on Sunday, January 2, 2022, with his nephew Bob by his side and two days shy of his 90th birthday.

George is preceded in death by his parents, his dear wife Ann and their beloved son Kevin Dale and George’s brother Richard. He is survived by nephew Robert, his wife Denise and daughters Ashley and Alyssa and many other nephews and nieces, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, as well as many wonderful friends that he treasured.

A Memorial Service will be held in-person and virtually at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 10:00 am. Viewing and visitation will take place prior to the service from 9:30 to 10 am. Burial will be at Ft. Logan National Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s honor and memory can be made to St. Mark’s Memorial Fund.

Those who choose to attend in person will need to wear a mask throughout the service. There is no need to reserve a place ahead of the service.

Please click the link to view the service recording https://www.stmarksaurora.org/funeral_bulletin.html

May God Bless the loving memory of George Thomas Devers as we commend him to the eternal care of God in Christ Jesus.