Welcome to Devon's Website.
He is not longer with us but there is no reason
to stop honoring his life.
We love you and will miss you forever.
As we look out on the world at all the people
who love Devon we see faces that mirror
ours. They are etched in sorrow and lined
with sadness. Behind the tears that fall for
Devon, we see great love. We know that he
would be honored to see all those who bid
him farewell with their tears. And we thank
you for your prayers and support offered to
the family at this difficult time.
It is striking that a young man of just 14 could
have touched so many hearts. And yet,
Devon certainly did, Devon seemed like any
other 14 year old, yet was wise beyond his
years. He was warm and caring and was
very sensitive to the feelings of others.
Devon was in the eighth grade and enjoyed
many past times. He loved football the most.
He liked playing war on horseback with
Nana. He loved playing video games way
into the morning hours with Chris. He enjoyed
antagonizing his little sister Brittany and
driving his mother and step-father a little
crazy listening to rap music. He enjoyed
having regular visits with Rob and Ellen down
the street and his trips to Bertram to visit
Kathleen and Ronnie. He also loved passing
notes in school with Lorna.
Devon loved his Palomino horse, Slick. He
and slick used to play hide and seek where
Devon would hide behind the trees in the yard
and call for Slick. Slick would then stroll over
to find him. Once found, Slick would nudge
Devon as if to say, "Tag, you're it!" When
Slick would misbehave Devon would point his
finger at Slick as if to scold him. Slick would
stick out his tongue and insist on put it into
Devon's hand. This tickled Devon so much
that he had to hide his smile while trying to be
firm with him. Devon saw a lot of himself in
that horse.
Another incident that showed how huge
Devon's heart was is when he was around
the same age. Teaching Devon "Stranger
Danger" was a battle that Nana and mom
were sure to lose. To Devon there was not a
bad person in the whole world. He would
walk and talk with anyone who would let him.
In trying to teach him what a stranger was his
mother told him, "If you don't know their name
then they are a stranger and don't talk to
them." So, accepting of his boundaries
Devon nodded and said, "Ok." So the next
time he met someone he didn't know the first
thing he said to them was, "What's your
name?" When Nana or mom would talk to
him about it he would say in his defense that
he knew their name so it was okay. We gave
him more criteria and he would overcome it.
We thought surely someone would steel this
wonderful boy. He was friends with
everyone, no exception.
Devon was always the first person to greet
and meet everyone that he came into contact
with. Before Devon finished unpacking at the
new home in Texas he had made the rounds
and met all the neighbors. One of the
neighbors, Mrs. M, stopped his grandmother
one day to share with her how much she
really looked forward to Devon's visits. Mrs.
M went on to relate that if her children turned
out to be one fraction as kind, considerate
and genuinely good as Devon, she would feel
completely blessed.
Devon had a way of making us all aspire to
be better individuals, to make better choices
and to always apply a sense of humor to
situations in life's events. He felt a deep
responsibility for his family and the lives he
touched. He hated the injustices of life.
Devon struggled valiantly on this earth to feel
loved. He felt great sorrow for the inequities
he perceived. If he felt something was
wrong, untrue, unfair or unjust he would get
angry, regardless of whether it affected him
personally. His grandmother recalls the day
she tried to pay him for some work he had
done for her. Devon insisted that she was
overpaying him. He even became angry
because it was so important for him to be
fair. By overpaying him, he felt that she
wasn't allowing him to do the right thing,
Looking back we wonder, did we hug him
enough? Did we thank him enough? Did we
tell him often enough how much he meant to
us? Maybe not, but I can tell you this, there
is absolutely Nothing he could have ever
done that would cause us to love him less.
There will always be a special place in our
hearts for him.
We can find comfort in knowing that Devon
has been reunited with his great
grandparents, Harvey and Willma La Fon, his
beloved Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop. We pray
that they keep him safe until we meet him
again.
He is not longer with us but there is no reason
to stop honoring his life.
We love you and will miss you forever.
As we look out on the world at all the people
who love Devon we see faces that mirror
ours. They are etched in sorrow and lined
with sadness. Behind the tears that fall for
Devon, we see great love. We know that he
would be honored to see all those who bid
him farewell with their tears. And we thank
you for your prayers and support offered to
the family at this difficult time.
It is striking that a young man of just 14 could
have touched so many hearts. And yet,
Devon certainly did, Devon seemed like any
other 14 year old, yet was wise beyond his
years. He was warm and caring and was
very sensitive to the feelings of others.
Devon was in the eighth grade and enjoyed
many past times. He loved football the most.
He liked playing war on horseback with
Nana. He loved playing video games way
into the morning hours with Chris. He enjoyed
antagonizing his little sister Brittany and
driving his mother and step-father a little
crazy listening to rap music. He enjoyed
having regular visits with Rob and Ellen down
the street and his trips to Bertram to visit
Kathleen and Ronnie. He also loved passing
notes in school with Lorna.
Devon loved his Palomino horse, Slick. He
and slick used to play hide and seek where
Devon would hide behind the trees in the yard
and call for Slick. Slick would then stroll over
to find him. Once found, Slick would nudge
Devon as if to say, "Tag, you're it!" When
Slick would misbehave Devon would point his
finger at Slick as if to scold him. Slick would
stick out his tongue and insist on put it into
Devon's hand. This tickled Devon so much
that he had to hide his smile while trying to be
firm with him. Devon saw a lot of himself in
that horse.
Another incident that showed how huge
Devon's heart was is when he was around
the same age. Teaching Devon "Stranger
Danger" was a battle that Nana and mom
were sure to lose. To Devon there was not a
bad person in the whole world. He would
walk and talk with anyone who would let him.
In trying to teach him what a stranger was his
mother told him, "If you don't know their name
then they are a stranger and don't talk to
them." So, accepting of his boundaries
Devon nodded and said, "Ok." So the next
time he met someone he didn't know the first
thing he said to them was, "What's your
name?" When Nana or mom would talk to
him about it he would say in his defense that
he knew their name so it was okay. We gave
him more criteria and he would overcome it.
We thought surely someone would steel this
wonderful boy. He was friends with
everyone, no exception.
Devon was always the first person to greet
and meet everyone that he came into contact
with. Before Devon finished unpacking at the
new home in Texas he had made the rounds
and met all the neighbors. One of the
neighbors, Mrs. M, stopped his grandmother
one day to share with her how much she
really looked forward to Devon's visits. Mrs.
M went on to relate that if her children turned
out to be one fraction as kind, considerate
and genuinely good as Devon, she would feel
completely blessed.
Devon had a way of making us all aspire to
be better individuals, to make better choices
and to always apply a sense of humor to
situations in life's events. He felt a deep
responsibility for his family and the lives he
touched. He hated the injustices of life.
Devon struggled valiantly on this earth to feel
loved. He felt great sorrow for the inequities
he perceived. If he felt something was
wrong, untrue, unfair or unjust he would get
angry, regardless of whether it affected him
personally. His grandmother recalls the day
she tried to pay him for some work he had
done for her. Devon insisted that she was
overpaying him. He even became angry
because it was so important for him to be
fair. By overpaying him, he felt that she
wasn't allowing him to do the right thing,
Looking back we wonder, did we hug him
enough? Did we thank him enough? Did we
tell him often enough how much he meant to
us? Maybe not, but I can tell you this, there
is absolutely Nothing he could have ever
done that would cause us to love him less.
There will always be a special place in our
hearts for him.
We can find comfort in knowing that Devon
has been reunited with his great
grandparents, Harvey and Willma La Fon, his
beloved Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop. We pray
that they keep him safe until we meet him
again.
A Tribute To Devon by Rob (a neighbor of
Nana's)
My name is Rob and I am here this evening with
my wife Ellen because Devon Oglesby was our
friend.
About four years ago on a bright Saturday
morning, the doorbell rang at our home. When I
opened the door, there stood a smiling ten year
old boy who confidently introduced himself. "Hi,
I'm Devon Oglesby, we just moved in down the
street and I was wondering are those your
horses?" 2 1/2 hours later Devon, Ellie and I had
talked horses, football, family "his and ours", had
lunch, played catch and had ridden our
4-wheeler. When Devon said goodbye and
headed back down the Lane to his new home,
Ellie and I looked at each other somewhat
amazed. What a wonderful young man!
Over the next four years, our family had the
pleasure of many more visits from Devon. Each
visit commenced with hugs all around and Ellie
even got a special kiss every now and then. My
wife and I, our four children and even our
grandchildren came to know and love this special
ray of sunshine. Every time the doorbell rang at
our house there was at least a 50/50 chance it
was Devon and with each visit he brought joy.
The same kind of joy we felt each time our own
children came to visit.
From time to time, Devon helped me with
projects and he watered our garden when we
went out of town. He kept us up to speed on
school, his friends James and Rian and a very
special young lady by the name or Lorna. Devon
took particular pride in the fundraising contest
which involved the sale of mugs bearing the
school logo. In his first visit pertaining to the
sales contest, he delivered a well prepared
presentation that Zig Ziglar would have been
proud of. Two days later he stopped by again to
announce his progress and on Saturday returned
a third time to let us know he had raised more
money than any other student in school. He was
a shooting star!
Often, Ellie would be coming home about the
same time Devon was getting off the school bus.
Even though it was a very short walk to his house,
she always stopped to offer him a ride and he
always accepted. That's just what friends do.
The first thing that jumped out at you from Devon
was his radiant smile. If he never spoke a word
his smile alone endeared him to everyone he
met. But Devon possessed many other
admirable qualities. He was very kind to and
protective of his little brother and sister. He was
very bright and articulate and in conversation he
could hold his own with any adult. The following
adjectives come into my mind when I think of
Devon and I will list them singularly and pause for
your reflection of my choice of words...
handsome, strong, affectionate, well-mannered,
respectful, trustworthy, friendly, fun, grateful,
loving and most importantly innocent. Devon was
the type of child anyone would be proud to have
as their son.
Given the fact his real father was not present as
he grew up and considering his stormy
relationship with his mother, how did this child
grow to be such a fine young man? Somewhere
along the line someone did something very right.
The credit goes to the loving care and guidance
of his family members and friends. His great
grandfather Harvey, his grandmother Etta, his
aunt Janine, Kathleen and Ronnie. These people
helped serve as role models and caretakers
impacting his character heavily. They are all to
be commended for the job they did.
Even with all the love and attention that Devon
received they could not protect him from a bitter
void in his life. A void he could not fill nor escape
from. With all the anguish he carried inside, I
never once heard him complain.
The loss of Devon is immeasurable. The loss of
a child with a very bright future. The loss of
watching him grow to manhood. He would not
want us to feel regret for things we didn't do or
say, nor would he want us to assign blame for his
departure. Devon would want us to savor and
rejoice for every second of every minute of every
hour we were able to share with him. I am a
better husband, father and man for having known
Devon Oglesby.
If there are horses in heaven, and I believe there
are, my bet would be Devon spends his days
with his Great Grandfather riding fast horses
through lush green pastures. Perhaps God's
plan was to take Harvey away to prepare a
peaceful happy home for Devon, so he will never
again be abruptly uprooted or confused, but
know love and security for eternity.
Farewell our little friend. Farewell dear son.
Every time our doorbell rings our thoughts will
turn to you.
Nana's)
My name is Rob and I am here this evening with
my wife Ellen because Devon Oglesby was our
friend.
About four years ago on a bright Saturday
morning, the doorbell rang at our home. When I
opened the door, there stood a smiling ten year
old boy who confidently introduced himself. "Hi,
I'm Devon Oglesby, we just moved in down the
street and I was wondering are those your
horses?" 2 1/2 hours later Devon, Ellie and I had
talked horses, football, family "his and ours", had
lunch, played catch and had ridden our
4-wheeler. When Devon said goodbye and
headed back down the Lane to his new home,
Ellie and I looked at each other somewhat
amazed. What a wonderful young man!
Over the next four years, our family had the
pleasure of many more visits from Devon. Each
visit commenced with hugs all around and Ellie
even got a special kiss every now and then. My
wife and I, our four children and even our
grandchildren came to know and love this special
ray of sunshine. Every time the doorbell rang at
our house there was at least a 50/50 chance it
was Devon and with each visit he brought joy.
The same kind of joy we felt each time our own
children came to visit.
From time to time, Devon helped me with
projects and he watered our garden when we
went out of town. He kept us up to speed on
school, his friends James and Rian and a very
special young lady by the name or Lorna. Devon
took particular pride in the fundraising contest
which involved the sale of mugs bearing the
school logo. In his first visit pertaining to the
sales contest, he delivered a well prepared
presentation that Zig Ziglar would have been
proud of. Two days later he stopped by again to
announce his progress and on Saturday returned
a third time to let us know he had raised more
money than any other student in school. He was
a shooting star!
Often, Ellie would be coming home about the
same time Devon was getting off the school bus.
Even though it was a very short walk to his house,
she always stopped to offer him a ride and he
always accepted. That's just what friends do.
The first thing that jumped out at you from Devon
was his radiant smile. If he never spoke a word
his smile alone endeared him to everyone he
met. But Devon possessed many other
admirable qualities. He was very kind to and
protective of his little brother and sister. He was
very bright and articulate and in conversation he
could hold his own with any adult. The following
adjectives come into my mind when I think of
Devon and I will list them singularly and pause for
your reflection of my choice of words...
handsome, strong, affectionate, well-mannered,
respectful, trustworthy, friendly, fun, grateful,
loving and most importantly innocent. Devon was
the type of child anyone would be proud to have
as their son.
Given the fact his real father was not present as
he grew up and considering his stormy
relationship with his mother, how did this child
grow to be such a fine young man? Somewhere
along the line someone did something very right.
The credit goes to the loving care and guidance
of his family members and friends. His great
grandfather Harvey, his grandmother Etta, his
aunt Janine, Kathleen and Ronnie. These people
helped serve as role models and caretakers
impacting his character heavily. They are all to
be commended for the job they did.
Even with all the love and attention that Devon
received they could not protect him from a bitter
void in his life. A void he could not fill nor escape
from. With all the anguish he carried inside, I
never once heard him complain.
The loss of Devon is immeasurable. The loss of
a child with a very bright future. The loss of
watching him grow to manhood. He would not
want us to feel regret for things we didn't do or
say, nor would he want us to assign blame for his
departure. Devon would want us to savor and
rejoice for every second of every minute of every
hour we were able to share with him. I am a
better husband, father and man for having known
Devon Oglesby.
If there are horses in heaven, and I believe there
are, my bet would be Devon spends his days
with his Great Grandfather riding fast horses
through lush green pastures. Perhaps God's
plan was to take Harvey away to prepare a
peaceful happy home for Devon, so he will never
again be abruptly uprooted or confused, but
know love and security for eternity.
Farewell our little friend. Farewell dear son.
Every time our doorbell rings our thoughts will
turn to you.
Devon Joseph Oglesby
October 6, 1991 ~ February 3, 2006
October 6, 1991 ~ February 3, 2006
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