AUSTIN -- Fallen Austin Fire cadet Devon Coney was remembered at his funeral July 2 as an endlessly funny individual who was equally committed to the well-being of his 5-year-old son.
Coney, who suffered from an "unknown medical emergency" at the department's training academy June 25, had given his colleagues plenty of memories.
"What to say about Devon? He was funny, silly, happy, proud and loving," one co-worker said. "He found fun in the mundane, was silly when someone needed to be reminded that you need to have fun occasionally, happy to be alive and have an amazing son and family, proud of his son and family, and was a loving son, father, brother and friend."
His humor had an impact on others.
"He would make me laugh, quote me some ‘scripture’ and by the end of our conversations, I’d feel like I could walk on water," another co-worker said.
Coney's life was forever changed by the birth of his beloved son, Davian, the funeral program said. He "wanted his son to have the best life possible and stopped at nothing to ensure that was afforded to him," the program said.
“I really loved the compassion and love he had for his family, especially for his son; he loved him more than life and told me several times he would do anything to see him every day," a co-worker said of Coney.
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Recognizing his dedication to his son, the Austin Fire Department has started a "Devon Coney Scholarship Fund" on behalf of his 5-year-old son, Davian. One-hundred percent of all money raised will go toward his education, the department said. Go here for more information about the fund.
Austin Fire's Chaplain, Andrew Fox, performed the eulogy at his funeral.
Coney graduated from Round Rock High School in 2003 and graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2009 before he eventually started working at the Austin Fire Department.