From the moment Devin Kelly ’17 was born, well, of course, his family fell madly in love. They started learning from each other from the very beginning. Adorable, sweetness during his baby years onto preschool at the Presbyterian Church. Shy, innocent, but first moments of venturing out on his own without mommy and daddy there…we had to start to let go. "Baby steps," his family would always say during each transition of childhood. Onto kindergarten and elementary school at Holy Cross, continuing to make childhood friends at Our Lady of Assumption School through his preteen years, where Devin continued to grow through the ages of great change.
He stayed active with Junior Life Guards and became a Junior Life Guards assistant, was a YMCA swim team member, an AYSO soccer player and a Gold Coast Water Polo member. He was a graduate of The Martine Cotillions, held at the Poinsettia Pavilion. He loved the Ventura County Fair, family gatherings at his Nana’s and PaPa’s and Aunt Vicki’s homes, video games, sleepovers, beach parties, pizzas, pillow fights, wrestling and raiding the refrigerator with boyhood friends—to Mom’s dismay. Next, onto Foothill Technology High School, (Go Dragons!), preparing for a university while participating in Young life and Young Life Camps. He was on the swim and water polo teams at Ventura High School (Go Cougars!). Devin played capture the flag and more video games with friends, cementing friendship and finding young love. Then off to Santa Clara University (Go Broncos!)—full of questions, not knowing what to expect. Parties, dorm life, first apartment, then, his senior year, sharing a home with six roomies (thrilled that five of them were fun, vibrant young women!) who all began the college journey together. Devin created a toasting tradition called the "HORN!!"His Ventura friends have since passed the “HORN” to his Santa Clara University roomies, and now all are bonded in laughter and friendship in keeping Devin’s spirit alive for many more future celebrations. Devin enjoyed hiking, camping, snowboarding, skateboarding, kung fu, jiu-jitsu, ping pong, and was nicknamed, “The Natural,” at surf camp. He loved drawing, anime, movies, playing guitar and ukulele, reading fantasy and science fiction books. Devin loved his pets. He treasured his rambunctious dog Bella and his sweet cat Jasmine. A loyal listener of "From Indian Lakes" and other musical groups, he would passionately challenge anyone who differed. One of the most inspirational moments of Devin’s life was meeting and later interviewing Ray Bradbury at the impressionable age of 11, which developed into a friendship that ultimately inspired Devin to become a writer and poet.
Devin was a poet, a romanticist, a gentleman, explorer, philosopher, singer, and a loyal friend to those who knew and loved him. His passionate debates, long hours of conversation, sharing of music, warm hugs, kisses, and loving glances will forever warm their hearts.
He was excited to have traveled throughout Europe, this past summer, with six of his closest boyhood friends. Devin fell in love with all the history, culture, and immense beauty. He was very happy to have spent time with family in San Sebastian, Spain, and Frankfurt, Germany, who embraced him lovingly into their homes.
Devin’s spirit lives on through his beautiful poetry. The translation of the Irish Gaelic name “Devin” means Poet. His family often told him the world needed more Poets, and that’s why he was named Devin. His writings and songs are within the hearts of all those that he touched, including extensive family and cherished friends. Devin’s Dad was his greatest influence in the fine arts. He passionately and profoundly imparted his knowledge as he nurtured and adoringly shared his wisdom throughout Devin’s life, as only a true Renaissance man could.
In the quiet of the morning, as the sun began to rise, our precious, beautiful, fun loving, articulate young man, our son, quietly and peacefully slipped away into the loving arms of the Lord. His parents had this message for him: “We love you, sweetheart, forever and ever, infinity squared. Lots of hugs and kisses, Mom and Dad.”
Devin Kelly is survived by his Parents, Michael O’Kelly and Gisele Tryon-Kelly; Grandmother, Virginia Goena Tryon; Aunts, Phyllis Tryon, Aurora (Vicki) Tryon Fassino, and Denise Carey; Uncles, Barry Tryon and Danny Carey; Brother, David Kelly-Böhm, (Wife, Jördis and nephews, Teno and Edvarz); and many cousins, aunts, uncles, extended family members, as well as all his close-knit friends of Ventura and SCU roomies and friends. Devin is preceded in death by grandmother, Nancy Kelly; grandfather, Alfred Tryon; Aunt, Jane Kelly; and sister, Juliette Ascension Tryon-Kelly.
Devin Kelly’s parents and the Tryon family wish to thank all family members, relatives, friends and the Santa Clara University community for their sympathy, love and caring support.