Jesse De Vaney Jr.

Jesse Ulysses De Vaney Jr. was born in Douglas on Feb. 23, 1928, to Jesse Ulysses De Vaney and Myrtle Elsie Hughes De Vaney. His family included two sisters, Frances and JoAnn, and one brother, Harold.

Jesse grew up in Douglas. After graduating from Douglas High School, he went to Roswell, N.M., where he attended and later graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1946. Jesse transferred to the University of Arizona, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Jesse De Vaney Jr.

He also met Betty Jo Coffey while attending U of A, and they were married Dec. 3, 1948, in Lordsburg, N.M. Jesse and Betty would have celebrated their 60th anniversary in December. They have three children, Jess III, Cindy and Mary, as well as seven grandchildren, including Matt, Rebecca, Emily, Michael, Chris, Carina and Chrissy. They also have two great-grandchildren, Alexander and Ainsley.

Jesse served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and left the service with the rank of first lieutenant. He worked in various jobs for the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson and the Southern Pacific Railroad in Deming, N.M. But it was higher education that would become his passion. He completed his master’s degree in education from the U of A, where he also taught.

In 1956, Jesse was offered a teaching position at Eastern Arizona College, where he taught business courses. He was later promoted to registrar, then dean of Admissions. He served as vice president while overseeing the operation of the Gila Pueblo Campus in Globe.

Jesse later returned to Thatcher, where he served as director of Research and Development. He also worked with Native American tribes to develop educational programs to prepare Native American students to attend college courses. In 1974, Jesse was named EAC Man of the Year. He was dedicated to EAC, where he stayed for 37 years until he retired.

Jesse loved gardening and was an avid storyteller. He was a Mason for more than 50 years and served as worshipful master of Safford Lodge #16 F & AM in 1974. Jesse was active in church while living in Safford. He served as trustee for the First Baptist Church in Safford and later served in leadership roles at the Church at Safford.

Jesse entered into eternal rest June 21, 2008. Services were held June 27. Donations may be made to the Jesse & Betty De Vaney scholarship at Eastern Arizona College or TOP Vietnam Veterans, 8000 S. Kolb Road, Suite 43, Tucson, AZ 85706.