Richard "Dick" Harry DeVoe

Richard “Dick” Harry DeVoe, 94, of Naples, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on October 28, 2023. Dick was born on November 30, 1928, in Muncie, Indiana. He is survived by his devoted wife of 72 years, Barbara Jean DeVoe, and his three children Donald Paul DeVoe (Susan), Gary Richard DeVoe (Jill), and Mark Allen DeVoe (Bernadette). He was also "Grandpa Dickie" to seven grandchildren, Emily DeVoe Lopez (Juan), Anne DeVoe Garcia (Luke), Benjamin Seigel DeVoe, Richard Mark DeVoe, Scott Alexander DeVoe, Claire Victoria DeVoe Rooney (Anthony), and Jack Edison DeVoe. Also, an immensely proud great-grandfather, with nine great-grandchildren, Maria Espinoza, Cooper Garcia, Cruz Garcia, Croix Garcia, Ryder DeVoe, Bobby DeVoe, Zephyr Rooney, Zaiya Rooney, and Zemirah Rooney. Cherished as members of the family, the DeVoes are grateful to Dick and Barbara’s care team led by Kim Peralta. Dick leaves behind a legacy of strong faith, deep love of family, and commitment to his community.

Dicks's life journey began in Muncie, Indiana, where he grew up with four older siblings: Paul, Lucille, Fred, and Jane. While attending Muncie Central High School, he played Varsity basketball which led to a spot on the Ball State University team. As a freshman at Ball State, he also played semiprofessional baseball for the Hagerstown Merchants baseball team. It was while attending Ball State University in 1949 that he met Indiana University student Barbara Jean Downs, and by all accounts it was love at first sight. Dick would soon transfer to Indiana University to be close to Barbara, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business.

Just a few days after Dick’s graduation, he and Barbara were married in June of 1951. That fall the couple moved to Virginia, where Dick proudly served his country in the US Army until 1953 during the Korean conflict in the 714th Railroad Battalion as one of only seven Railyard Masters in the US Army.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, Dick and his growing family returned to Muncie. There, he began his career in the automobile business, working for his two older brothers, Paul and Fred. At that small used car lot, Dick found his second love-the automobile business. Dick believed the new car business was the place to be, so he secured his first new car franchise at age 29 and became the Edsel dealer in Muncie in 1957. Ford Motor Company shut down Edsel in 1960, causing the closing and buy back of his still operating franchise. He then had to look for his next opportunity and purchased a little country Chevrolet store just south of Indianapolis in Martinsville, Indiana in 1960 and this began his 60 plus year run as a General Motors dealer.

It was during this time, with a growing family of three young boys, that Dick and Barbara began the move to Naples. Discovering Naples in the early 1960's was no mean feat. Naples was a small little village, with fishing and tourism being the main staples of the economy. But the move was not a business one, it was one born out of the idea that family comes first. In 1963, Dick and his family made Naples their new home. After first renting a home, his next step was building the Rustling Palms Apartments in Olde Naples. All this was happening while still operating the Chevrolet dealership in Martinsville. During this time, he commuted back and forth from Naples to Indiana, ultimately selling the Martinsville Chevrolet store in the fall of 1967.

In Naples, another opportunity arose when he was awarded the Buick-Cadillac dealership. Thus began Dick DeVoe Buick Cadillac, Inc., opening in April of 1968. At the time, 4100 Tamiami Trail North was considered too far out of town, and most local businesspeople considered this a risky move. Under his leadership, the dealership that was once surrounded by palmetto and pine thrived as the Naples community grew in population. Over the next 55 years, the company expanded, and additional franchises and locations were added including Pontiac, GMC, Isuzu, Saab, Hummer, Subaru, Volvo and Infiniti. Today, Cadillac remains at the original location with Buick GMC and Subaru nearby and are all still operated by second and third generation family members.

Dick believed in giving back to the community. The DeVoe scholarship program was established in 1969 at Naples High School to support high school seniors in their effort to attend college. It is still in place today and has assisted over 400 local students reach their goals of a higher education. He supported local causes such as Naples Community Hospital (where they are the longest consecutive donors), Youth Haven, Habitat for Humanity, St. Matthews House, and many others over the years. In 2007, Dick was inducted into the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame as a Laureate. He often spoke of “sowing seeds” in the community and had a sincere desire to support future generations and encouraged all to “give back.” The most impactful gifts he made are likely the times when he did so anonymously. He was always looking for a way to pay it forward, and to have a lasting impact on the Naples Community.

The automobile business was a perfect fit for his competitive nature, and that spirit carried over to his passion for tennis. He was a champion on the court, even into his 80s. He once said the secret was to be in better shape and out-live your competition. He competed on a national level in Men’s Doubles, winning a slew of awards including 4 Gold, 5 Silver, and 6 Bronze awards at USTA National Championships. He competed in several Senior Olympics and won the Gold Medal in 2001. He was a fixture on the local courts for over 40 years.

Dick DeVoe’s legacy will live on, a testament to a life well-lived and a shining example of the positive impact one person can have on those around them. His life was spent doing the right thing even when no one was looking. Always positive, looking for the next opportunity and caring for those who worked for him; he understood what it meant to live a remarkable life. Dick was the pillar of strength for his family, and they hope his memory will be a source of comfort and inspiration for all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A celebration of Richard's life will be held from 12 pm – 3 pm on November 12th, 2023, at DeVoe Cadillac, located at 4100 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that his legacy of giving back to the community be honored by paying it forward with an anonymous donation to a cause close to your heart.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hodgesfhatnaplesmg.com for the Devoe family.