DeVaughn Demicell

DeVaughn “Barney” Demicell passed away July 18, 2024, in Canon City, CO. Barney was born in Canon City to William “Bill” and Clydith (Wilkins) Demicell. From an early age he rode horses, played many sports and excelled in school. His strong work ethic and appreciation of the outdoors was further honed by his time living with his much-loved Uncle Jim and Aunt Nanna Lavell on their farm in Benkelman, NE.

Barney graduated Canon City High School class of 1955 and was named a Football All-American. He also played basketball, softball and refereed several sports. Upon graduation he was awarded a football scholarship to Mesa Junior College in Gunnison, CO. he transferred to Colorado State College to study and play football until college was interrupted by two years of training in the Naval Aviation Cadet program in Pensacola, FL.

In 1958, Barney began Navy Aviator training in a T-34 and progressed to shuttling F4 Phantoms on and off aircraft carriers. He also accompanied the Navy Air Force band to Long Beach, CA for the Miss Universe finals where he escorted Miss Arkansas. Barney returned to Colorado State College for two more quarters before returning to Canon City High School to do his student teaching in American history, social studies, physical education, and to assist in coaching basketball.

While Barney received two letters from professional football teams, he was turned down due to suffering 5 major concussions. On the completion of his student teaching, he returned to Colorado State to pursue a master’s degree in education, graduating in 1963. He applied to Tempe Schools and m oved to Arizona to become a French teacher and football coach at Tempe High School.

Barney continued his education at Arizona State University. While working as a counselor at McClintock High School and head dorm resident at ASU, he earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology. He met Jeanette Walker at ASU, and they were married in Canon City. They traveled to Alaska and Canada, and acquired jobs at Mt. Royal College in Calgary, Alberta. Barney worked as a college counselor, officiated basketball, went hunting and fishing, and rode and trained horses. In 1971, they were blessed with a daughter, Lynette, whom he loved dearly, assisting her as a student, equestrian rider, basketball player and all-around athlete.

Upon leaving Mt. Royal College, Barney ran a successful Priority Management business. He moved his business to Pheonix, AZ where he met Barbara Olson. Barbara’s work moved them to Albuquerque, NM and they married in Belem, NM on November 25, 1995. Barney became a counselor for the New Mexico School District until 1997 when Barbara’s work transferred the two of them back to Arizona. With a love for children and a talent for helping them, Barney again became a counselor for Tempe Schools.

Upon retirement, Barney and Barbara enjoyed RV travel for five years, touring Canada, the U.S, and Mexico. They returned to Canon City in 2006.

Barney was an avid reader, cyclist, fisherman, horseman and sportsman. He loved his hunting dogs and taught Barbara to quail hunt and skeet shoot. He and Barbara rode their tandem bike all over the country, including a two-day, 163-mile trip to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis. He loved all sports and had a great sense of humor. Family was important to him-he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He cherished his many friends and never met a stranger. He was curious, a good listener, generous, and an advocate of fairness, justice, working hard, playing hard and helping others.

Barney’s last few years were spent at Hildebrand Care Center and Fremont Regional Hospice, with a very caring staff. His warmth and humor will be missed by all who knew him. Barney is survived by his love, Barbara Demicell; daughter, Lynette (Dan) Markham; stepdaughters, Debbie (Barry) Porter and Lisa (Gerald) Klassen; six step-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren, his best friends, Robert and Karen Packard, Doug and Nancy Cassie; as well as numerous cousins in the Demicell and Wilkens families.

A graveside service with Military Honors will be at 10a.m on Friday, August 2, 2024, at Lakeside Cemetery: 1008 Elm Ave. in Canon City, followed by a family gathering at Wilson Funeral Home: 1449 S. 9th St. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fremont Regional Hospice: 1439 Main St. in Canon City.

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