In remembrance of Stanley Devereux, Executive Director of The Catholic Foundation

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Stan Devereux to The Catholic Foundation, click here.

Bishop Jaime Soto presided at a funeral Mass for Stanley William Devereux, Executive Director of The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Sacramento, on Friday, June 8 in St. Mary Church in Sacramento.

Devereux, 58, died peacefully on the morning of June 1 in Elk Grove. He lost a courageous five-month battle with brain cancer after being diagnosed with a Glioblastoma. He was devoted to his faith, family and friends. At the time of his diagnosis, he was Executive Director of The Catholic Foundation and in formation for the past four years to become a permanent deacon.

A prayer vigil with eulogies was held on Thursday, June 7 in St. Mary Church. Burial was at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sacramento following the funeral Mass on June 8.

A native of Sacramento, Devereux was the son of William John and Mary Louise (Reckers) Devereux and the grandson of Judge Stanley and Katherine (Geary) Reckers of Sacramento.

Devereux graduated from Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow School of Communications in 1982, having double majored in broadcast journalism and political science. He graduated from Sonora High School in La Habra, CA, after attending high schools also in Texas and Illinois.

After graduating from WSU, he worked as a television news reporter and producer in Fairbanks, AK, Medford, OR and Sacramento.

Prior to his service for the past two years at The Catholic Foundation, he was vice president of Pac/West Communications; director of public and government affairs for the California Earthquake Authority; assistant state treasurer and director of communications for California state treasurer Matt Fong; deputy board member and chief of staff for California Board of Equalization member Matt Fong; external affairs manager for the Western State Petroleum Association; and staff member of the CA State Senate GOP Caucus.

He is survived by his loving family, wife of 33 years, Gwendolyn (Burgard); son William of Seattle, WA; daughter Amy of San Francisco, CA; son Thomas, daughter Laura and Isaak Juntunen of Boise, ID; daughter Joanna; mother Mary of Roseville, CA; and brothers John of Manhattan Beach, CA; Robert of Mesa, AZ; David of Aliso Viejo, CA; and five nephews and eight nieces.

Family members noted Devereux “had an infectious smile and always put others first. He was a master of puns, loved to quote movies, talk politics, listen to music and make people laugh.”

Devereux served on the parish council of St. Mary Parish in Sacramento and as a lector and eucharistic minister. He also trained altar servers, ministered to those in need through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and brought Communion to the sick.

Family members said “although the cancer prevented him from completing formation (for the diaconate), he used his illness as a time to focus on others, devoting himself to prayer for those most in need of God’s mercy. We ask your prayers at this time of loss.”

The family has asked for donations in Stan's name to be made to The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Sacramento or the American Brain Tumor Association (www.abta.org). If you would like to make a donation in memory of Devereux to The Catholic Foundation, visit www.scd.org/donate