Nov. 25, 2016 – West Bend, WI – Douglas Dean Devenport, age 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016 in his home surrounded by family. He was born on January 11, 1935 to Leverette (Earl) and Ethel (nee Jones) Devenport.
Doug attended the University of Wisconsin where he met his wife Norrine. Doug was a member of the UW wrestling team and the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.
Douglas and Norrine (nee Blaha) were married on January 15, 1956 at the Corinth Mississippi Methodist Church. Doug was born and raised in West Bend, WI and was President and CEO at Level Valley Dairy Co. in West Bend, and Cumberland Creamery in Nashville, TN. Doug, along with his brother Roger, grew the Company to a point where it was ranked in the top 30 companies on the WI 100 list of largest privately held corporations.
Doug and Norrine have been long time benefactors to their community, contributing the “Ajuga Daydream” sculpture at Riverside Park, the Devenport Family Stage at the Washington County Fairgrounds, and were major benefactors of the Washington County Ice Center and the Museum of Wisconsin Art as well as many other organizations and causes throughout the community.
Doug was a member of the Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, past member of the board of directors of M&I First National Bank, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Doug enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing with family and friends, as well as watching his race horses run at the track.
Doug is survived by his wife of 60 years, Norrine; his children, Craig (Candy) Devenport, Jamie (Robert) Mollwitz, Bradley (Donna) Devenport; his 9 grandchildren, Clair Mills, Kristin Olstad, Brian Devenport, Patrick Salter, Robert Devenport, David Devenport, Laura Devenport, Sarah Devenport, and Joshua Devenport; and five great grandchildren, Lily, Charlie, Caden, Avery and Lane, with two more on the way.
He is further survived by sister Elaine Leverich of Pampa, TX and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son John Devenport, brother Roger J. Devenport, and sister Mildred Mueller.
A special thank you to Rita Otten and Joanne Sennott from Restorative Home Care, the staff at Kraemer Cancer Center and Froedtert Cancer Center, Dr. Ehab Atallah and Dr. Guillerrmo Garcia-Manero of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
A Funeral Service will be at 12 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016 at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jeff Hesse officiating (1420 W. Paradise Dr. West Bend, WI 53095). Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10:00 am until the time of service. Interment will follow at the Washington County Memorial Park.
Memorials are appreciated to the Kraemer Cancer Center, West Bend, WI or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in lieu of flowers.
The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family.