Marine CPL Devon R Strout

Cpl Devon Strout was born at EMMC in Bangor, Maine on May 8th, 1996 and was raised by his mom, Edwina, and dad, David, in Milo. Devon was a graduate of Penquis Valley High School and entered the Delayed Entry Program during his senior year of High School for the United States Marine Corps. In August of 2014 after graduating, Devon left for boot camp at Parris Island in South Carolina. Upon completion, Devon transferred to the School of Infantry East at Camp Geiger to attend Marine Combat Training (MCT). During MCT, Devon was selected as a Guide helping anyone struggling physically or mentally. After MCT, Devon went to Fort Leonard Wood, MO to become a Motor Transportation Operator. Devon was then stationed at Quantico, VA as a Motor Transport Operator (MOS 3531) for Logistics Support Company. Devon earned his certification for HAZMAT transfer and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal in February of 2016 for the extraordinary work he performed going above and beyond the call of duty. During Devon’s time at Quantico, he had driven over 6,000 accident-free miles transporting over 600,000 lbs of cargo and delivering over 800 Marines to their next destination safely. Devon flew to 29 Palms, CA, also known as Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), which is known for training field troops under severe conditions, quite a few times to assist during training exercises. Devon participated in the Lance Corporal Seminar and earned the rank of Corporal in November of 2016.

Devon’s mom describes him saying he brought this amazing light who gave the best bear hugs and always made sure everyone around him was well taken care of. While at the barracks, he would often be found staying up with whoever had duty to make sure they stayed awake bringing them food, drinks, or whatever they needed. He put his heart fully into all the things he did and wanted everyone to feel important. No matter what he was doing, Devon would stop everything even if just to talk to anyone who might be in a bad place or needed a listening ear. His character and charisma had a way that turned any situation into a laughable moment, instantly picking people up when they needed it most. Devon was a people-person that cared more for everyone else than himself. Even on the worst days, he still managed to brighten everyone up. One of the many fondly written messages about Devon was that he was “one hell of a Marine and friend to all” and that “he left an impression on everyone!” Even with Devon’s passing, everyone said he would be selfless now not wanting anyone to worry…

A jokester and a comedian, Devon made the best out of every situation. Devon had a eclectic taste in music from ZZ Top, Volbeat, Motorhead, Zac Brown Band to Hank Williams, Jr and everything in between. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, even if he didn’t catch much while fishing. His younger sister always seemed to have better luck. He’d want to change positions with her but to no avail. Devon loved being outdoors and driving in his car listening to music. Devon could ad-lib at the drop of a hat, whether with movie quotes or with action. Devon wrote stories that could bring the characters to life. During a high school rendition of “Alice in Wonderland,” he played the characters of Tweedle-Dee, the Mad Hatter, a knight, and the Caterpillar. He would go off stage and change in and out of costumes as the sets continued. Devon, his parents, and little sister, Aileen, spent the night prior creating some of the homemade costumes. They were all tasked with stuffing and sewing on the many arms of the caterpillar. Devon kept the crowd in tears during the play by ad-libbing nearly every line he was supposed to say. And yes, he and Tweedle-Dum even rapped in the middle of one of the scenes. Devon during another school event was the caterpillar from A Bug’s Life and had fun stating he had turned into a beautiful butterfly with tiny wings on the back of a sleeping bag we had converted to do the job. This was disastrous because the night before while preparing the sleeping bag, we found it to be filled with down feathers that had to be picked up around the house for at least a week! Devon sported this with the brightest red sneakers sticking out of the bottom.

Standing about 6-feet tall and well built, he was the most loving kid and very protective of his little sister. When driving her, he’d pick her up at school and would worry if he was a minute late in getting her as he didn’t want her to be worried. He was 8 years older than her but would sit and play video games with her. Sometimes she’d love to go in and just watch him play. Edwina describes Devon as “an old soul in a young man’s body.” He touched more lives in his too-short 20 years than most can ever hope to accomplish. Devon always went above and beyond with everything he set his mind to. He always called or texted his mom morning and night as every grown man should when he couldn’t call to say, “I love you, Mom!” Edwina has a tattoo memorializing in Devon’s handwriting what he always wrote in her cards or messages: “I will love you forever and always XOXO…”

In high school, Devon did great in his academics and was part of the National Honor Society, Key Club, and Student Council. Devon was awarded the Doble Award for Citizenship at graduation. Edwina said that Devon played no sports in middle school, but in high school he decided to do them all: soccer, tennis, baseball, golf, basketball, and track and field. He received coach’s awards for golf and baseball. His mom jokes that the only sport he didn’t participate in was cheerleading. Every sport he played though was an experience in itself and came with a story. His golf coach said Devon’s golf cart found itself onto its side quite often. He forgot his running shoes one day before a track meet and had to do his events in his Chuck Taylors. Before his events, he turned to his parents and said, “Well, I may not do well today but at least I am going to look good doing it” with his contagious laugh.

His tennis coach once called his mom to come pick him up at the courts after Devon had an accident. Wen Edwina got there, she found her son holding his face and bleeding profusely. His eyebrow had been split open, apparently by his own racket while he was playing. Mom thought tennis was a relatively safe sport but couldn’t help but laugh while saying “Well, it looks like his grace definitely came from his mom” as they headed to the ER.

Devon worked at the school as well cleaning the gym after games even with everything else he did. He always worked hard so others would have less to do. One morning, Edwina received a phone call from Devon, before school, telling her he got into a bit of trouble and needed her help. Devon had decided to go bird hunting early that AM, taking his Buick down this old dirt road where it had gotten stuck. Mom to the rescue though as she drove out in their truck with ropes and chains to save her son, all before the school day started.

Edwina described him as the boy “every parent stated they wished their daughter would marry.” He never had to ask for a date to dances as the girls would ask him.

Devon’s tribute stone came from his favorite place to be: the RIPS where his dad’s family has a leased camp. While there are roads that do make their way into this area, the easiest route is by taking a boat. Devon would often bring his friends to kayak fish and play cards. The families who have camps in this area would come together for a big cookout bringing music, food, drinks, smiles, and many laughs. The moniker for this wonderful group of people was “River Rats.” Each year there would be a canoe race, and Devon would participate. One year during the race, Devon and his friend managed to get the aluminum canoe turned sideways and into a rock, leaving it bent and unusable. He then called his dad to ask if Gramps had another canoe he could use for a bit, no mention of anything happening on the river leading up to why. Dad paused for a moment then stopped, “Wait….. what happened to the first one?!?!”

On December 17th, 2016, Devon passed away in a tragic car accident in Virginia while assisting another Marine.

The year that followed, his mom decided that she wanted to hike Katahdin via Abol/Hunt Trail for the TAPS Challenge – something that Devon had done a few times before. She recalls that he neglected to tell her just how difficult this hike was to finish. Regardless of how tough it was, though, she wasn’t going to give up. She was carrying his bracelet and wanted to place it at the top in memory of him. If it wasn’t for that bracelet, she would never have been able to complete the climb.

Edwina shared that the days never get any easier and every day is just as hard as the last. There are days that it takes her breath away. A piece of your hear is forever gone… but our hopes are that through the learning, honoring, and carrying of Devon’s stone, that he will be paid proper tribute and his story will live on in each of us…