James I. Devine III

JAMES ISAAC DEVINE III, son of the late James Isaac Divine II and Loretta Gardner, was born on September 25, 1972, in Baltimore, Maryland. He departed this life suddenly on October 13, 2021.

James received his education in Baltimore City Schools. He attended Madison Square Elementary, Roland Park Middle and Northern High School. James was a fun-loving man, with a very large heart. Although his life was filled with many challenges, he always took them in stride and would provide a helping hand to whomever needed one. He was affectionately known as Big Ike or simply Ikey by his friends and loved ones.

Ikey, the man with the big heart and jokes for days, made sure that the people around him felt covered and safe in his presence. A good spirit always, Ikey found a way to make someone's day with an often-used phrase that embodied his life, "Keep God First". His daily phone calls to his friends and loved ones, would set the tone for the day. Whether it was daily making coffee and talking to his best friend and mother, or cracking jokes with Big Moe or picking up every single crumb that may fall on the ground, Ikey made it his business to always show love to others. He decided to demonstrate the affection he had for the community who loved him and accepted unconditionally by tattooing "Ednor Gardens" on his arm.

Ikey was granted the opportunity to give back to his community when he became an intervention Specialist at Mergenthaler Vocational High School. He was quite instrumental in assisting and pouring into the lives of many young men and women. Mr. Devine became like an uncle or father figure to many of the students. They would always speak in reverence about the impact of Mr. Devine on their lives and the school. His co-workers and the school's faculty shared the same love and admiration for him. 

Everyone loved "Big Ike," the "Best that ever done it." He was a true family man and friend to many. He was preceded in death by his sister Porshier Gardner and brother Collin Bruce "Brucie" Gardner. He leaves to mourn: his mother, Loretta Gardner (His Boo); father, Collin Gardner; brother, Theo Devine; sister-in-law, Keisha Devine; a special cousin/brother, James Yancey; two sons, James "Lil Ikey" and Tavon; one daughter, Cierra; four grandchildren, James Devine V, Paul James Devine, Godd'y Messiah Devine and Amaiyah Devine; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

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