Franklin DeVaul

Please see the Class of 1952 biography on Franklin DeVaul submitted by Franklin DeVaul.

Franklin Day DeVaul, Sr., 72, went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, July 29, 2006. Franklin was born to Abram and Flossie DeVaul on February 14, 1934, in McAllen, Texas and grew up in Rolfe, Iowa, where he was graduated from Rolfe High School in 1952. He attended Iowa State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry in 1956.

He married Joyce Hartmann on December 29, 1956, at the First Lutheran Church in Gilmore City, Iowa. Together they raised three children, Debra, Franklin Jr. and DeAnn, in the Christian faith.

After serving his country as a member of the United States Army, he began his career in wood products management in Eugene, Oregon, and gained experience in Weed, California, and Longview, Washington. Franklin joined JELD-WEN in 1970 to start the company's millwork operations in Spokane, Washington. In 1990, his career took him and Joyce to corporate headquarters in Klamath Falls, Oregon. In 1999, they moved to a home in Bawtry, England, and enjoyed several years traveling around Europe where Franklin oversaw company operations asSenior Vice President of JELD-WEN European Services, Ltd. He retired in 2002 and they returned to Spokane in 2003.

Franklin's Christian faith was the guiding principle in everything he did. He was active in his church wherever the family lived and was currently a member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Spokane. Over the years he taught Sunday School, guided youth groups, led Bible studies, was assisting minister, served on numerous committees and councils, and served wherever the Lord called him. His unwavering faith was an inspiration to everyone who knew him.

Franklin loved to golf, hunt, and fish, and created many special family memories. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Joyce; his children: Debra and Robin Wieber of Round Rock, Texas; Franklin Jr. and Judy of Chehalis; Washington, and DeAnn and Rolf Tangvald of Spokane, Washington; 12 grandchildren: R.J., Becky, Kathleen and Jordan Wieber; Brint, Shanna, Franklin III and Ember DeVaul; and Kjerste, Kaitlund, Thor and Annika Tangvald; one great-grandson, Christian James Alexandar DeVaul; his brother, Abram and Louise DeVaul of Urbandale, Iowa; his sister, Vera Marshall of Okoboji, Iowa, and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210 or Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 4320 S. Conklin St,, Spokane, WA 99203.