David Charles DeVinney
April 29, 2024
David Charles DeVinney was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota on April 1st 1958. He passed away on April 29, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. He leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Jane, children David L. DeVinney (Shelby, and grandchildren Dustin, Ava, Kylie, Caleb, Elizabeth), LC DeVinney, Alexandra DeVinney Richardson (Matthew), and Amanda DeVinney, his brother Bill DeVinney (Sandy, and nephew Tyler), sister Denise DeVinney, and Aunts, Uncles, and cousins, with special thoughts of Michelle Swendner Ambrose. He is preceded in death by his father Charles A. DeVinney and his mother Shirley.
Dave attended St. Thomas Military Academy high school and St. Cloud State University. In 1980 he moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming to work as a Police Officer for the City of Cheyenne Police Department. Subsequently he was recruited by IBM to join the IBM Information Network in Tampa, Florida. Dave worked for IBM from 1984 until 2009 in roles including Manager and on the technical side as Network Design Engineer, Solutions Architect, and Systems Engineer when his division was sold to AT&T. He also trained the Slovakia team. The family moved to Gainesville, Florida in 2005 and he remained with AT&T until his retirement after a total of 37 years.
Dave was involved in the Haile Plantation HOA where he served as President. He was instrumental in saving the beloved horse pasture as well as other significant upgrades in the community. He loved taking his beautiful black chow chows for their nightly walk in the forest as well as bike riding on the trails, and he enjoyed working in his yard. Dave was a devoted father and loved spending time with his children. He was especially noted for his contagious smile that would light up any room. A private family service will be held in his honor. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Navy Seal Foundation.
Crevasse's Simple Cremation is honored to serve the DeVinney Family.
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To my friends, he is known as “dadvinney”, for his witty, out-of-pocket jokes and one-liners, that would have us nearly in tears laughing. To me, he’s my dad, dada, daddy, and daddydoodlecakes.
I’ve always looked up to him in work, life, strength, and perseverance, especially in the last year of his battle with cancer. He taught me the “DeVinney schmooze”, how to love Jeeps, and together with mom, taught me how to be a winner. He is always so proud of David, Amanda, and me for our successes in school, work, and life, and even passed down his managerial book “who moved my cheese” as we each started our careers.
When I was 3, he took me to my first hockey game, the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he let me play in the aisle, catching the attention of an announcer, who called me down and gave me my first ever game puck! He has always been active in all of our lives and played everything from scooter races and rollerblading to Barbies to Guitar Hero and to “Are you smarter than a 5th grader”, where I earned his nickname for me, Trof.
He has the most fun police officer stories, ghost stories, and stories from all the places around the world he got to visit for work – he even brought us back real Swedish clogs and Slovakian coins.
He went to every sports game (and every doctor’s appointment from every sport-related injury), every summer play, and every high school musical I was in. He always had his camcorder out on his tripod to record whatever any of us kids did, from our first steps, mommy singing Sting to us as babies, my living room “concerts”, graduations, and everything in between.
Dad taught me everything I know about Jeeps and even kept my Jeep’s “birthday” in his calendar. I’ll always remember him saying “what speed bump?” as we rode around in his pride and joy, Sahara, while playing our “rock and roll song”.
I love you forever, daddy. We’ll keep making you proud while you hang out with Grandad, Rob, and all the chow chows. Save a coke for me! ♥️
Dave was a joy to be around. Smart, kind, always ready to offer good advice and encouragement, and the warmth of his smile was infectious. I'm so sorry for your loss of a great husband, father, grandfather, friend, and human being. May you find peace by remembering the treasured memories, life lessons, and the genuine care and kindness that he so freely gave to everyone he met.
I knew Dadvinney when I was in elementary school and middle school. Amanda and I were close friends and I spent many birthday parties at their house with their chows and Dad. He was always so welcoming, loving, funny, and supportive. I could see how much he loved his wife and kids even back then at such a young age. He’s now got the best seat in the house to watch them continue chasing their dreams and watch over them on all their adventures. I wish there was a way to make the pain less but please know you’re all in my families prayers.
Dave was my cousin. We never lived near each other but the last family gathering 2 yrs ago we had a reconnection if you will. He was as always in a happy good mood. Kind. Loving, & we seemed to realize we missed out on knowing each other and each other’s family. He was planning a trip to come to the Texas hill country (on a road trip w one of his buddies) well it was a great take away for us all to know we are not promised any day,everyday is a gift from god. Dave now you have the best seat in the house. You will forever be my “angel
Co-pilot” as I travel the back roads of the hill country of Texas. Heaven definitely got brighter because you were a bright light to those who knew you and loved you. You will be missed. Thank you Jane for reading my last few texts to him, I send my deepest sympathies to you and your family ✝️
Dave and I first met in high school at the academy. Dave was a wonderful and good friend. I will miss him.
While I never got to meet him in person, I am SO grateful that I got to know Dadvinney. He helped raise the most amazing person I have ever met in my entire life, Alexandra. And you don’t just become that way, you have to be raised that way. So I KNOW that he is the reason I have my best friend today. I have heard nothing but amazing things about this man. He truly was a unicorn in this crazy world we live in. You could always count on him to crack a joke and/or make you smile when you’re feeling down. He was the most caring, smart, funny, and supportive man. He was everything you would ever want in a friend and a father. There was never a single doubt in how much he cared for his family. I’m heartbroken that I never got to meet him in person and thank him for bringing such wonderful girls into this world. But I know he’s watching over all of us and feels the love we all have for him. We love you, Dadvinney(: Thank you for all you have done and all the good you have brought into this world. until we meet again❤️
We’re so sorry for your loss and have you all in our thoughts and prayers! ♥️🙏
Dave and I worked together many years ago. We became friends there and had a lot of laughs and good times. I moved to Colorado and he ended up in Wyoming. Great memories getting together camping and laughs. I ended up moving and unfortunately we lost touch. In his last days he found me on the internet and reach out to me. It was such a great surprise! Grateful that we were able text and enjoy some memories and find out what he had been doing all these years. Leaving this place for a much better one. Peace and prayers to you and your family.