Donald George DeVore

Donald George DeVore: Farewell to a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, minister and friend. Donald George DeVore, age 70, was promoted to Glory on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005. Donald was born in New Bloomington, Ohio, May 14, 1934, to Lee and Bertha DeVore. He had 4 siblings: Charles, Joan, Carrie, and Sandra. Three of whom preceded him in death. Don graduated from Amphitheater High School Tucson, Arizona. After High School he attended Lamson Business College and later received a Vocational Teaching Certificate. Don married Carol Suzanne Van Dewark on November 21, 1955 and they had four children. He is survived by his wife Carol, son Mark (Darlene), daughter Dora Summers (Joe), daughter Melody Valdes (Mario), son Bryan (Terri), 7 grandchildren, (Camilla, Lindsay, Jamie, Brad, Chad, Emily, Jodie), sister Carrie (Tootie) Bowdon (Carl) and numerous nieces and nephews. Don trusted the Lord in 1941 and surrendered to preach in 1961. His mom always referred to him as her "Little Preacher Boy". He was a poet and many of the messages he preached had his very own special flare. When asked about being a minister he would say. "I'm not your average preacher. Whatever a "normal" preacher is, that's not me." This was true about his whole ministry no matter what church he pastored. Don brought a unique talent of his love for people and his hard work ethic to everything he did. He began a puppet ministry that started with homemade puppets and it grew to be a whole traveling puppet show. "Captain Meanie" would steal the show with his ship and cannon. He always wrote his puppet scripts centered on a Biblical message. Don's love of old cars began at an early age. When he was a teenager he enjoyed drag racing and restoring old cars. In his day he was a member of several auto clubs. During the years that followed he still continued to collect and rebuild old cars. Don loved animals all his life. There were times when it seemed he had a farm all his own. Every stray animal always found a way into his yard. He fed the humming birds and raised Boston Terriers and even tried a Rottweiler here and there. Even though he retired from the ministry he never stopped ministering. In addition to all his church duties, he always had another occupation to support his family. These jobs varied from sprint car driver, cowboy, flagman, truck driver, vocational instructor, auto mechanic and insurance adjuster. He was always busy and provided for his family. To celebrate his life, friends and family are invited to Love Baptist Church, 3030 W. Glendale Ave., Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday April 2, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Hospice of the Valley, 3238 N. 16th St., Phx., AZ 85016 or The National Cancer Society.