Devon Michael Cobb, age 49, of Kenmore, Washington, passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
It is with profound sadness to announce the untimely passing of my husband and best friend from a less than two-year struggle with ALS. Devon was surrounded by his loving family on May 7, 2023, at our home in Kenmore, Washington.
Devon grew up in Simi Valley, CA, and graduated from Simi Valley High School in 1992. After graduating, he spent a few years working odd jobs and taking classes at Moorpark College.
We met in the summer of 1995 at a karaoke bar in Newberry Park, CA. Boy, could he sing! (The funny thing is that I met my future in-laws and brother-in-law the same night). Who would ever think they would marry the boy/girl they met at a bar? Well, it happened to us! We were in our early 20s, still trying to figure out who we were and what we wanted to do with our lives. From the very night we met, we were inseparable. We spent every waking moment together except when we had to go to work, of course. We dated for two years in California until Devon interviewed and was offered a job at Microsoft in the Pacific Northwest.
Without hesitation, I packed up and accompanied him up to Washington State. Leaving our families behind to start a new and exciting adventure together, just the two of us. We had a blast!
Another two years passed, and then we decided to make it official and get married in September 1999. We had a beautiful ceremony in Santa Ynez, CA, at Gainey Winery. It was a picture-perfect day with a horse-drawn carriage, gorgeous sunny weather, and lots of laughter and good times had by all.
Traveling back to Seattle, WA, after our wedding was bittersweet. We missed our families immensely, and Devon was at a crossroads with his career.
He found it within himself one more time to take on a new and exciting adventure regarding his career. Expedia was a new and upcoming company that split off from Microsoft, and they were hiring new employees. He interviewed, was offered, and accepted the job. Devon was an employee with Expedia for 23 years. Expedia was not only a workplace; it was family.
With all that being said, the biggest and most rewarding adventure Devon endured was welcoming two beautiful daughters into the world! Madison Violet Cobb was born in July 2001, and Makayla Allison Cobb was born in July 2003.
I stayed home to raise our girls and take care of our home. Through Expedia, Devon was able to travel near and far for his job. For one who at a time was afraid to fly, he sure embraced the opportunity to see the world outside of "our perfect little bubble." Our life was complete; our world was fun and happy. Just like everyone else, there were good and not-so-good times. However, we concurred with the latter head-on and found a way to move on in a productive and positive way. We had it all! That was until July 6, 2021...
The month prior, Madison just graduated from the University of Washington, and Makayla had just walked in her graduation ceremony from Bothell High School. Our girls were grown; their world and their adventures were just beginning. Which meant it was our time. Devon and my time. Our time to reconnect as a couple and start traveling and creating new adventures together, just the two of us, again!
That was harshly halted abruptly when we were told on July 6, 2021, that he was diagnosed with the heart-wrenching disease ALS. We simply could not comprehend what was being said to us.
Our "new adventure" was nothing we would have ever imagined our life to be! Devastation is an understatement of what the next 22 months would unfold!
Devon fought hard and with all he had! He was on the FDA-approved drugs to help slow the progression of the disease from day one. Ultimately, he succumbed to the reality that this horrific disease had other plans. Devon passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, at our home on Sunday, May 7, 2023.
"The cosmos is within us. We are made of star stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself." – Carl Sagan
