Michael John Devereux

Michael John Devereux, born July 12, 1946, in Madison, Wisconsin, died unexpectedly on September 3, 2026, with his faithful dog, Honey, by his side. He was 80.

Michael’s life was shaped by learning, service, work, and the steady commitments that defined him. He spent his childhood in Fresno, California, where he shared a fun and spirited upbringing with his sisters. During his college years, he played rugby, an experience that led to a major knee injury and remained part of the story of his younger days.

He pursued his education with dedication, completing his undergraduate studies at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California. He went on to earn a master’s degree from California State University, and later received his PhD from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Michael first taught, then moved into research, and in his later years worked as a local handyman in the Los Alamos area. Across these different chapters of his working life, he brought knowledge, practicality, and a willingness to apply himself wherever he was needed.

Michael was also an Army veteran who served in South Korea. His military service was one part of a life marked by discipline and conviction. He was a devout Catholic, introverted by nature, and known for seeing the world in clear black-and-white terms. Those who knew him also knew the depth of his interests and the quiet consistency with which he pursued them. He was a dog lover and an outdoorsman who enjoyed fly-fishing. He was also a mechanic and a cook, finding satisfaction in skill, usefulness, and the tangible work of hands and mind.

He is survived by his sisters, Kathleen and Mary, a niece and nephew, and their children. 

He was preceded in death by his father, John Michael Devereaux, and his mother, Kathryn Mary Devereaux.

Michael John Devereaux will be remembered for his intellect, his independence, his faith, and the practical gifts he offered through the many roles he filled over the course of his life. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved him.

A Catholic Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Los Alamos will be scheduled and updated.