February 6, 1928 ~ July 5, 2020
Donald Clair DeVore, age 92, passed away peacefully in Littleton, CO on July 5, 2020. Don was born at home in Wichita, KS on February 6, 1928 to Chester Clay and Stella Gregory DeVore. Following graduation from high school in 1946, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Guam at the tail end of WWII. Upon discharge in 1948, Don enrolled in Wichita University (now Wichita State) on the GI bill, where he studied business and finance.
While a student in Wichita, Don met the love of his life, Lavona Marie Frieouf, on a blind date. They married in November 1952 and moved to Casper, WY, where Don worked in the accounting office of Standard Oil Company. Don and Lavona moved to Denver, CO in 1954, where he helped raise three children and worked as a securities analyst for several investment firms, including Financial Programs, Inc., Investment Management Sciences, and Founders Funds. Don’s professional specialties were oil, energy and medical companies. He enjoyed researching companies and collecting antique mining stock certificates, which he continued as a hobby into retirement.
Don was an extraordinarily kind, loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather. He eagerly shared historical facts and stories about his beloved Colorado with anyone who would listen. Don also was an avid fly fisherman who enjoyed many memorable adventures fishing, camping, hiking, and backpacking throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountains with his two sons, extended family and friends. Several of his favorite fishing spots were the Taylor River in the Gunnison area, and later in life the Woody Creek Bridge area on the Roaring Fork River and the wonderful gold medal waters on the Fryingpan River outside of Aspen. An avid Denver Broncos fan and long-standing season ticketholder, Don spent many Sundays with his family cheering their favorite team from the South stands of the Mile High Stadium.
Don is survived by his sons Darwin (Suzan) of Camas, WA; Richard (Denise) of Loveland, CO; daughter Patti of Denver CO, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Lavona (2019) of 66 years, his sisters Opal (DeVore) Wheeler of Bountiful, UT (2018), and Juanita (DeVore) Dewey of Tulsa, OK (2011). Inurnment will be at the Czechoslovakian Cemetery in Caldwell, KS. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Don was known for his welcoming smile, his trademark comment “Okie-Dokie!”, and his kindness toward everyone. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Don’s memory by brightening someone’s day with a kind word and a smile. Those who wish may donate in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association (Colorado Chapter) or to the Roaring Fork Conservancy (http://www.roaringfork.org/).
Services are pending and will be announced later.
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Rest Donald, until you hear
Harry Simpson - 07/17/2020
Rest Donald, until you hear at dawn, the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
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