Cyndi Knoten, Owassoisms
Patrick Devlin
12/15/2020 – Writing this story brought back so many fond childhood memories for me. Patrick Devlin was a creator of such wondrous beauty that is now embedded in Tulsa’s history, and in the minds of many, including myself. It is fitting his very first word as a baby was “light.”
His efforts over the years resulted in the Tulsa World naming him “Tulsa’s Electric Elf.”
The Devlin home delighted thousands of visitors over the years.
Over the years, Devlin became known for his amazing light displays during the holidays. Most memorable was his over-the-top lights at his home near 34th and Yale. The cul-de-sac where he lived saw thousands drive through each Christmas season, eager to view the wonder of it all. His daughter, Owasso resident Nikki Devlin Kaltenbach tells us, as a child she loved to sit in the driveway at her home and wave to all the cars as they drove by.
Devlin worked for State Farm where he was an insurance adjuster for 25 years. After retiring, and because of his love for his lights, he began his own lighting business, “Nightmagic.
The lighting of the Pedestrian Bridge on Riverside and the amazing lights at Children’s Medical Center were also part of his historic work. I have home video of us taking our children through the medical center lighting display. We were in awe of it each visit.
Devlin’s love of lights also resulted in him decorating his 75-foot houseboat, which was on Lake Keystone. He decorated it every year for their annual Christmas Light Parade, where he typically always took 1st place.
Patrick was not the only member of his family etched in Tulsa history. His father, Roger Devlin, had a column in the Tulsa Tribune for 50 years. Nikki tells us “He would write about my dad a lot, but as soon as my dad was able to read and figure out what was being said about him in the column to the entire town – he made my granddad stop using him as his subject.” Patrick’s mother was also a founding member of the Gillies – the volunteer group for the Gilcrease Museum.
Fast forward a few years where the family lighting tradition now continues in Owasso. Nikki moved to Owasso in 2010. She and her husband Bret purchased a home in Eastwood Lake Estates in 2011, which was the first year they decided to decorate. “My husband Bret and I were so proud of the little display we did and couldn’t wait to show my dad,” said Nikki. “This is a good start, but you need to go higher on the trees” he said. Every year he kept saying “Go higher” and ended up buying them lights to do just that.
Recently, Patrick was in an assisted living center, and due to COVID, Nikki had been unable to physically see him since March. She was finally able to visit him on Thanksgiving day, which was also his birthday. Patrick passed away less than an hour after their visit.
2020 was the year they finally rented the boom lift to go higher as Patrick suggested. They did this in honor of her father. The results – phenomenal.
Nikki’s home and many others in Eastwood Lake estates are well worth including on your holiday light tour.
We look forward to their continuance of a time-honored family tradition making its home in Owasso .
