Cecil Vance Devine
October 26, 1930 – January 24, 2021
Cecil Vance Devine was the son of Franklin Oliver and Jeffie Merrill Devine and was born October 26, 1930, in Hominy, OK. He was a victim of COVID-19 and passed away due to the virus.
He attended Westville High School where he played sports. He attended Connors State College in 1952 and was nicknamed "Andy" Devine, where he played football and baseball. He was an All-Conference defensive end before transferring to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah to play football where he graduated in 1953. He received his Masters from Southwestern State University in Weatherford. He married Delma Jean Weber on December 22, 1950.
He coached for 26 years at the high school & college level. He started the football program at Apache High School and won 27 consecutive games. They moved to Burburnett, TX for 2 years where Cecil coached at Burburnett High School. He then accepted the assistant football and head baseball coaching position at Southwestern. He led the Bulldog baseball team to the 1972 NAIA World Series, placing third. When he wasn't coaching, he officiated high school and college basketball for 10 years. He was considered the Dean of Officiating.
In 1977 he and Delma moved to Edmond and Cecil began his career at the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association, where he worked until 1992, as the Director of Football & Officials of all OSSAA sports in Oklahoma. He was instrumental in starting summer officiating camps, seeking higher pay & benefits for officials and recognition for them.
Cecil was inducted into the Connors State College Athletic Hall of Fame, Southwestern State University Athletic Hall of Fame, Northeastern State University Athletic Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame & the Oklahoma Officials Hall of Fame
He enjoyed all of his past players, could remember all their names, and could tell the best stories of recruiting players. He had a real bond with his players and friends. He loved the lake and fishing, becoming legendary with all the guides at Lake Texoma. His friends were a true treasure to him.
Cecil is survived by his son Randy Devine, daughter Diana Duncan & husband Steve, four grandchildren: Dustin Devine, Jerri Lynn Bradshaw (Devine), Lindsay Duncan, Laura Duncan, and six great-grandchildren: Stetson, Justin, Carson, Wade, Duncan and Wyatt, and one brother Mike Devine & wife Anne-Marie.
A joint memorial service honoring Cecil and Delma Devine will be head at 10:00 am on Friday, February 24 at the Matthews Funeral Home, 601 S Kelly, Edmond, OK. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cecil & Delma's honor to the Cecil Devine Family Scholarship Fund by contacting Grant Gower at the OSSAA 405-840-1116. This fund will support a cause that Cecil and Delma were incredibly devoted to, by assisting educators in the state to obtain the necessary training to become officials in the Oklahoma School Sports Program.