Dean L. DeVore

Dean Lavon DeVore, 91 years old of Tulsa, died on Saturday November 10, 2018, after living a long wonderful life. He was born August 5, 1927 in Bucyrus, OH to Emma Malinda Karg DeVore and William Emmit DeVore. He had a brother, Vivan W. DeVore, who lived only a day June 20, 1924. Dad had a close knit group of childhood friends that stayed in touch until there were none left. He enlisted in the Navy on his eighteenth birthday and he was off to World War II. Soon after, the United States dropped the bomb on Japan and the war was virtually over. Dad served 11 months in the Navy because that is all his country needed of him. He was a plank owner of the USS Leyte as a member of the original crew. He returned home and began working as he planned his future. He entered Ohio State University on the G.I. Bill in 1948 in the Industrial Engineering program, graduating in 1952. The year before graduating he married his hometown sweetheart on June 17, 1951, our mother Marilyn Joyce Russell in Bucyrus, OH. Then the family moved to Detroit, Michigan, buying their first home together. In 1960 dad and the family transferred to Tulsa, OK with Vickers, Inc. He enjoyed being active in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He gave his time to the community through tutoring and outreach programs. Dad was a good Lutheran man all of his life. His achievements were many during his life from a President of a local company to selling insurance and then helping others be better through his out placement counseling. Dad always said he did pretty well for a small town boy out of Bucyrus, Ohio, with both parents only having elementary school educations, and yes, Dad, you did. He managed several multi million dollar companies and traveled the world extensively including Iran, Japan, France and Italy. He is survived by daughter, Linda; sons David, Richard and wife Kim; grandsons, Russell, Richard, Michael and wife Erica; 2 granddaughters Lori and Holly and her husband, Jack and great grandchildren Paxton, Elaina, Amelia, Daniele, Brianna, and Emily. Most of his friends are gone or he lost touch with them as he forgot his life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Joyce Russell DeVore, the love of his life for 62� years and his middle son, Gary Lee DeVore. A memorial celebration of Dean's life is planned at Joy Lutheran Church, 9940 S. Yale in Tulsa, on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. A private Family burial service will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery. Family requests donations to Alzheimer research or Oaks Indian Mission in lieu of flowers. And most of all, dad will always be our most unforgettable character. Love you, Pop.

Dean L. DeVore

August 5, 1927 - November 10, 2018