Even if I die, you’ll feel my warmth from the sun
Devin was an old soul, with a deep inner knowing. His mother, Adina, thought of him as a “starseed.” “He had a happy personality, with a sad soul,” she stated. Being in his presence left one with a profound feeling, intense, but soft. Even his conversation was poetic in nature, his laugh pure and genuine. He inspired people with his art and music and gave people hope.
As a child, Devin was adventurous and bold and excellent at sports. He lived and breathed music. He perpetually carried a notebook to jot down lyrics and draw art and had a microphone tattooed over his heart. Devin loved rapping to convey messages that embodied wisdom and understanding. He was fierce about challenging people to change—to be greater. Often feeling misunderstood, he was consistently searching for his “tribe.” “Drugs may have given him a sense of release from that,” his mom stated.
Devin drew portraits and graffiti and shared them abundantly. He was spontaneous and lived his life relishing one moment at a time. His sixth-grade art teacher noticed his incredible talent, and he received a scholarship to Beemis School of Art, which he attended for a year. Later, in addition to earning a degree in Montana to fight forest fires, he worked with the Flobots in Denver, earning a certificate in music production and making a CD, performing a song in concert under his rapper name EVI.
His passion was to move people with his words, to bring love, freedom, healing, and liberation to those who heard his music. A traditional working life felt constricting. He said it took away passion and time and he preferred being on the street, handing out lyrics and rapping for the public.
According to his mother, Devin came from a hard-knock life. He was invested in challenging himself and his family to make positive changes; to be better. He was the one who got them all together for Thanksgiving the year before he died. It was an amazing holiday that the family is grateful to have as a memory.
Devin played a fatherly role to all his siblings, Kaylee, Paige, Brook, and much younger brother, Ashton. He made sure they were okay and got to school on time. Devin was especially close to Kaylee, wanting her to do better in life. He wrote a song for her and his mom called, “Even if I die, you’ll feel my warmth from the sun.”
Devin lived life fully, but when he was in active addiction, he became withdrawn and defensive. He made poor choices and wouldn’t open up to anyone. Devin chose to live homeless at times. This kept his mom up at night wondering if she would get “the call.” His addiction dampened his positivity and vibrancy. “The hope we had for his potential slowly faded away,” Adina said. “It was devastating knowing the hopes and dreams he had for himself would never be.”
She misses her first-born son, his essence, his overflowing love. Devin was her biggest supporter. “I continue, in his honor, the legacy of hope and healing he held for himself and others. I feel like he was sent here to enlighten the world,” Adina said. His spirit has propelled her into a new awareness and awake-ness. “It’s like he passed the baton to me,” Adina stated. “I started it, you finish it. Alchemize my pain into power and purpose.”
Devin’s mother, Adina Hogue, provided the information for this narrative.
December 20, 1993-June 11, 2019-Age25
Portrait Artist: Shawn Faust
Narrative Writer: Barbara Francois
