In 1957, a young 17-year-old John Devine said goodbye to his mom, Ruth Ward, and a host of brothers

and sisters, boarded a bus in front of his Clinton, MO home, and started his journey of life; first stop was

Naval Training Center San Diego. From there he reported to the U.S. Navy Mine Defense Laboratory in

Panama City Beach, FL, where he joined the crew of the minesweeper USS Valor. After his tour, the

Panama City area became his home living in Southport and then Hiland Park. A mechanic by trade, John

worked at Mullins Auto Parts for some time before moving to the Naval Coastal Systems Laboratory

where he eventually retired.

John met his first wife, Wynola (Watson) Devine (d1984), while in the Navy and together had two

daughters, Lisa Blackshear (Herman) and Ginger Brock (Richard). John's second wife, Sandra (Kolmetz)

Devine (d2021), gave John two stepchildren, Teresa Spillers and Robert Wilson (Corinne). John had eight

grandchildren, Katie Blackshear, Travis Blackshear, Morgan England, Joseph Spillers, Andrew Wilson

(d1999), Zachary Wilson, Emily Wilson, and Jeffery Wilson. Along with three great-grandchildren, Kash,

Lilly, and Evelyn.

To know John was to love John. He will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank the Vitas Hospice Team for their caring support.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for you to remember John by attending a classic car show.