Thomas William DeVries

April 17, 1954 – January 27, 2012

Tom’s heritage was quite colorful. He was first-generation American on his mother’s side and second on his father’s. His paternal grandfather was a sailor from Holland who fell in love with a young lady from Hungary when the ship he was working on carried her to to America. Tom’s father, John, met his mother, Ann, in England as he served in the Army in WW II. After they married in England, she traveled to America on the Queen Mary with other war brides to reunite with her new husband in Roseville. His maternal grandmother was Scottish and grandfather was English. They also immigrated to America. Tom was born in Roseville and grew up in Carmichael, where he met his future wife, Lisa, at La Sierra High School.

High school sweethearts, Tom and Lisa were married in 1978 and happily celebrated their 33rd anniversary in 2011. Their only child, John-Paul, of Portland, OR, was born in 1986.

Tom followed in his father’s footsteps and worked for SMUD for over 37 years until his retirement in November 2011. Tom took great pride in working hard and especially in mentoring young employees. Tom had a legendary work ethic, which included his mantra “It’s better to be an hour early than a minute late.”

As it became evident Tom’s life would be cut short by cancer, he began to worry about his legacy. He didn’t want to be forgotten. He was a man of few words and simple values, but those values shown brightly to those who knew him. He adored children and believed that every child deserves to be treasured. He was devoted to his family and to his friends. He made sure every day to demonstrate love to his wife (and his dog:) He was passionate about civil rights and equal rights for all. He prayed for peace in the world and even when faced with terminal illness he trusted God.

Tom is survived by his wife, Lisa, their son John-Paul, his mother Ann, his sisters Penny and Vicki, 4 nieces and nephews and 2 great nieces. He adored them all as well as the rest of his family and all of his friends.