Ward Devlin, 86
Ward Devlin peacefully died of natural causes surrounded by his family at his home in Polson on Monday afternoon, Oct. 16, 2006.
On Feb. 21, 1920, Ward was the second-born of four boys to Neil and Jenny (Oxton) Devlin in Steele County, N.D.
His parents, and brothers Neil, Jack and Jim preceded him in passing, as did his sisters-in-law, Dorothy, Beverly, El Dora and El Dora's husband (and Ward's great pal) Vernon. His beloved wife of 54 years, LaVere passed on Dec. 28, 2000.
Ward and LaVere met when they were students at MSTC (Mayville State Teachers College), in Mayville, N.D.
Ward graduated in the spring of '42. He was stationed with the U.S. Army at Fort Snelling in St. Paul, Minn. After the service, Ward taught school at Hunter, N.D.; then at Bagley, Minn.
Ward and LaVere were married Aug. 12, 1946 in Fargo, N.D. They had accepted teaching positions — along with brother Neil — in Tulelake, Calif. Ward and Neil taught high school and LaVere taught first grade. Following the two-year stint in California, Ward and Neil accepted the positions in Polson that would complete their respective teaching careers. They established the Commerce and Art curricula at Polson High School in 1948.
Ward is survived by cousin, Molly Sampson, of Rialto, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Dolly Devlin of Michigan, N.D., and Gina Devlin of Polson; and children, Greg, Charles, Thomas, JeNeil and Greg Grace, Patrick, Kathy and Pat Collicott, Karen, and Jeff and Grace. Additionally, 16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews will remember "Papa" Ward.
Dad was a popular individual. His commanding personal presence, spirituality, intellectual curiosity and insight, substantive wisdom, and playful humor combined to make him an enormously well-respected educator. He was a paragon as a dad — raising kids, like his students — with gentle sincerity and with firm 'logic' (Oh, yes ... sometimes a reminder of his Golden Gloves title!) when necessary. A life-long competitor and outdoorsman, he was equally comfortable matching wits, trading stories, wrangling over faith and philosophy or arm wrestling ... he was not one to back down from a challenge!
He generously shared his many traits among us, his eight children. The leader of our band has given us the opportunity to manifest his unique goodness and to make it reverberate. 'We love you and thank you for sharing your life expression, Dad.'
A prayer vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson.
Mass for the celebration of Ward's life will be offered at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 22, at the Church in Polson.
Arrangements are being made under the care of Grogan Funeral Home of Polson.
The family requests that memorials be directed to the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation, 107 U.S. Hwy. 93, Ronan, MT 59864.