Obituary published on Legacy.com by Sheridan Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Feb. 2, 2026.
Stanley Funkhouser DeVore, Jr. was born in
Omaha, Nebraska on April 1, 1934. He
passed away on January 25, 2026, at the age of 91 surrounded by his loving family at
Central Wyoming Hospice. During his childhood he lived in Denver, St. Louis, and finally
Casper, Wyoming, graduating from Casper High School in 1952. He served in the US
Army stationed in Germany. After his honorable discharge and realizing he still didn't
know what he wanted to be "if and when he grew up", he pursued a business degree at
the University of Wyoming. Stan "claimed" he was an indentured servant at his father's
business throughout high school and had endured many career planning sessions at
the family dinner table that usually included suggesting he become a heavy-duty truck
dealer like his father. After a brief yet enjoyable stint as an Arthur Murray dance
instructor, Stan made the wise and inevitable choice to join his father's business,
Century White Truck Company, in Casper as a truck and chainsaw sales trainee upon
his college graduation in 1961. In 1967 he and a partner purchased the dealership, and
the name was changed to Casper White Trucks, Inc. He bought out his partner in 1969.
He changed the name again in 1977 to Casper Truck Center, Inc. when they became
Freightliner dealers. Stan was joined in business by his two sons, R. Fred DeVore, in
1987, and William F. DeVore, in 1991. In 2002, they terminated the agreement with
Freightliner to accept the opportunity to be the exclusive Peterbilt dealer in Wyoming,
necessitating one more final name change to Peterbilt of Wyoming expanding statewide
with facilities in Casper, Cheyenne, Riverton, and Rock Springs. In business, he was
regarded as tough, honest (blunt), but fair with both customers and employees, many of
which exhibited their loyalty with over 30 years of service.
Stan was very active in the industry both state-wide and nationally. He served many
roles with the Wyoming Trucking Association including Convention Chairman and Allied
Industries Chairman. He was honored by the association with the Con Biederman
Humanitarian Award as a reflection of his ongoing service and charity to the
communities in which he lived. He was elected in 1994 to be the Freightliner Dealer
Line Representative for American Truck Dealers (ATD) division of the National
Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and subsequently served as the Chairman of
ATD in 2000-2001. As Chairman, Stan was well-known for his bi-monthly written
columns and convention speeches. He used humor and his hallmark out-spoken and
direct approach to voice the concerns of all the North American dealers he represented
to the truck manufacturers.
Serving as the ATD Chairman was the pinnacle of his career; however, he often said the
best decision he ever made was marrying Donna F. Swisher in 1959. He attributed his
success in business to Donna's unwavering support while she also raised their three
children. They lived in Casper until moving permanently in 1999 to their summer home
in Saratoga, Wyoming where they resided until moving to Sheridan in 2013. In every
community they lived in, Stan served in many organizations including the Hogadon
Basin Ski Patrol, Casper Ice Hockey Board, and on the vestry of St. Mark's and St.
Barnabas Episcopal Churches. He enjoyed Bible study at Grace Anglican Church. He
was a member of Rotary Club, Lions Club, Elks Club, the American Legion, the Casper
Lodge No. 15 AF & AM, the Korein and Kalif Temples of Shriners.
A lifelong "motorhead," Stan customized hot rods in high school, raced flat track
motorcycles and boats, and was cable TV pioneer Bill Daniels' racing boat mechanic for
a while. Later his passion for speed switched to aviation, and he ultimately became an
instrument-rated private pilot. He was also an avid fly fisherman, bird hunter, skier,
golfer, cribbage player, and loved riding his BMW motorcycles after his 2002 retirement.
He had a great time playing the tenor banjo in the Salt Creek Jazz band from 1969 to
1980. He enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren everything from table
manners to financial management using the proper tools of the trade which included
Purina dog dishes, a telescopic fork and his now-antique TI-55 Calculator.
Stan is survived by his children Janis DeVore (Clif Cook), William F. DeVore (Nina), R.
Fred DeVore (Kim), his brother John B. DeVore, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Donna Swisher
DeVore, his parents Stanley F. DeVore and Clyde Butler DeVore, and his sister Jane
DeVore Grant. He lived in Casper for the past three years at Primrose where he
enjoyed the companionship of his friends Herman Boner and Pat Bronsdon. Stan will
be remembered for his deep love for his family, God and our country. A memorial
service will be held at Bustard's Funeral Home in
Casper, Wyoming on June 5th at 10:00
am with Rev. Kevin Jones of Sheridan's Grace Anglican Church officiating. An
internment of his ashes will take place at a later date in a private family ceremony at
Mount Hope-Big Horn Cemetery in Big Horn, Wyoming. In lieu of flowers, memorial
donations may be made to either Grace Anglican Church, 1992 W. 5th St.,
Sheridan, WY82801 or to Wyoming Rescue Mission, 230 N. Park St.,
Casper, WY 82601
Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com.
Local arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.