Brandon (left) and Jake Devine (right) after Brandon received his honorary American FFA Degree.
Brandon Devine, a cherished pillar of New Mexico FFA and a devoted advocate for agricultural education, passed away on April 27, 2025.
Devine served as the state agricultural education director with the New Mexico FFA state department until he passed. Devine was a gift to FFA, as he taught at Hondo Valley Public Schools for 23 years before moving on to his role at the state.
Garry Aycock, the New Mexico FFA state supervisor of agricultural education, shared about Devine’s life and legacy. “There are no words that can fully capture the kind of man he was — steady and strong, kind-hearted and humble, always willing to lend a hand or share a laugh,” says Aycock. “He lived with integrity, loved his family fiercely and led by a quiet, unwavering example.”
Aycock says Devine was more than a teacher; he was also a role model. “His journey wasn’t always easy, but he met every challenge with grit and grace, never losing sight of his purpose: to serve others and make a difference,” he adds. “His influence reached far beyond the lessons he taught; he shaped futures, instilled confidence and gave countless young people the tools to succeed in life.”
Aycock says Devine’s greatest legacy lies in the quiet moments. “The one-on-one encouragement he gave to a struggling student, the steady support he offered to fellow teachers, the way he showed up for his family and friends with unwavering loyalty,” he adds. “These moments — though often unseen — were the true measure of his life’s impact.”
Devine’s graveside service was held on May 2, 2025, at the Masonic Cemetery in Las Cruces — a place of quiet peace and dignity that matched the spirit with which he lived his life.
“It was a fitting farewell for a man who never asked for the spotlight, but who lit up the lives of those around him just by being himself,” Aycock says. “In every prayer, every tear and every shared memory, his legacy lived on — a true cowboy riding on ahead, leaving the trail better for those who follow.”
Devine’s wife, Suzanne Devine, shared about his inspiration in the classroom. “He had a blind student in his class the last few years he was there. When that student showed interest in working out in the shop, Brandon carefully helped him do so,” she says. “When that same young man wanted to judge, Brandon encouraged him to do so and he guided him through the milk quality competition.”
She also says he had a lasting impact on his students. “I got a text from a friend who was at a scholarship ceremony. One of Brandon’s former students was there receiving a scholarship to a welding school and credited Brandon for him taking that path,” she adds. “It meant so much to him to hear that his students were doing such amazing things.”
She also says, “Brandon’s proudest accomplishment is our extraordinary son, Jake.”
Jake Devine says his dad was a devout advocate for agriculture and FFA. “My dad loved agricultural education to its core,” he says. “Anytime anyone asked what he did for work, with his face lit up he would quickly reply, ‘I’m an agriculture teacher.’”
Devine says his dad was a humble man, regardless of his impressive achievements. “In 2021, my dad was honored as Ag Teacher of the Year,” he adds. “He and I rode home after the awards breakfast and he kept saying, ‘I can’t believe this. I don’t deserve that.’ My dad was not enticed by banners or plaques, but rather he recognized the need at Hondo was career readiness. He was so proud of his students’ success outside and after the classroom, and that’s what drove his passion.”
Devine says he is thankful for his dad’s contribution. “He was a father figure to many that he taught, and as his only child, it was truly an honor to share my father with so many,” he says.
