Norman Dale "Bud" DeVore, age 88, of Iberia, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at his home surrounded by family members.  He was born in Brumley on June 11, 1933, son of the late Ralph and Fern (Jeffries) DeVore.  On June 19, 1957, at Brays Advent Christian Church in Iberia, Bud was united in marriage to Carolyn Lou Clark.  They were blessed with 64 years of marriage, two sons, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bud attended Brumley School District No. 69 until the discontinuance of the high school at the close of his junior year.  He graduated from Iberia High School in 1951 and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Warrensburg (CMSU) and his master's degree from Lincoln University.   He served in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1953 until his honorable discharge in 1955.

Bud had an accomplished career in public education impacting many lives throughout his 33 years.  He served as teacher/principal at Santee, Barton, and Brumley Schools before becoming the first fulltime elementary principal at Iberia R-V, where he worked for 26 years.  He was nominated for and selected as Outstanding Elementary Principal of the Year in 1990 by the Missouri Association of Rural Educators. Bud and Carolyn have worked and taught together during most of their working years, both retiring in 1991.

He was an active resident of the Iberia community and was a member in numerous civic activities and organizations including the CTA (Community Teachers Association) and MSTA (Missouri State Teachers Association), past Worshipful Master of the Iberia Masonic Lodge 410 AF&AM, past Rajah of Pulaski County – Ft. Wood Shrine Club, past officer of the Pulaski County / Ft. Wood Motor Corps., past Worthy Patron of Iberia Order of Easter Star #537, and past Charter President of the Iberia Lions Club.  He was also a member of the Scottish and York Rites of Freemasonry in Missouri and Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple in Springfield.  Bud had a lifetime membership in VFW Post 4956 at Crocker, served 3 terms and several years as president on the Iberia R-V Board of Education.  He was past president of the Community Betterment Association, and the Iberia Alumni Association.

After retiring in 1991, Bud and Carolyn continued to live on their small farm near Iberia.  They have done some traveling, seeing most of the lower 48 states and Alaska, parts of Canada and Mexico, and several of the Caribbean Islands.  Bud would often be seen at the ballfield or gymnasium watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing various sports and attending numerous school activities.  Love of family, school, church, and community has been of upmost importance in Bud's life.  His favorite pastime was spent fishing and hunting.  He was a faithful member of Brays Advent Christian Church in Iberia and a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather.

In addition to his wife, Carolyn DeVore, he is also survived by two sons, Mitch (Stephanie) DeVore and Chris (Susan) DeVore; four grandsons, Caleb (Katelin) DeVore, Christian DeVore, Colton DeVore, and Kyle Branch; four granddaughters, Jordan (T.J.) Moore, Emily (Mikey) Patro, Sarah DeVore, and Kirby Branch; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Katelyn Gale DeVore and two sisters, Lucille Smith and Dixie Graham.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m., on Monday, May 23, at Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia.

Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24, at Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia with Brian Duncan officiating.  Interment with military honors will be held in Iberia Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Bud DeVore Memorial Fund.