Earl Eugene "JR" DeVore, 80, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Thursday afternoon, October 29, 2009 at his home.

Born October 24, 1929 in Winfield, Kansas he was the son of Earl James and Laura (Anglemyer) DeVore. He was raised and received his education in Winfield. He moved with his family for a short time to Arizona, where he graduated from Wickenburg High School in 1947.

Earl was united in marriage to Rose Marie Engelhardt on September 8, 1948 at the Hackney Baptist Church in Hackney, Kansas. The couple made their home in the Winfield area where Earl worked for the Cowley County Sheriff's Department for 21 years as a Deputy, and as the Under sheriff, until his retirement in 1995.

He was a member of the Kansas Army National Guard for 10 years as a Supply Sergeant. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Winfield, and the Winfield Masonic Lodge # 110, AF&AM. He enjoyed various hobbies including: building doll houses, models, and airplanes; stamp collecting, photography, motorcycle riding, taking aerial photographs, reloading shells, and most anything that required intricate hand work. He especially loved animals.

His family includes:
His wife: Rose Marie DeVore of the home;
His son: Jerry DeVore and wife, Kathy of Winfield;
His daughters: Diana DeVore and husband, Trip Hogue of Kansas City, Missouri; Cheryl Parkerson and husband, Don of College Station, Texas;
His cousins: Lora Jean Wohlford and husband, Ted of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Helen Seacat of Winfield; and
His 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, November 2, 2009 at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. Inurnment will follow at Highland Cemetery in Winfield.

Memorials have been established in Earl's name for Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, and the Cowley County Humane Society. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.