Ernest Gordon Devall, Sr.

Born May 30, 1924 and passed to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, December 5, 2010 surrounded by family.

Mr. DeVall was born and raised in Big Lake, Louisiana. He has lived his life there until illness touched him two years ago. He was a direct descendent of the Pujol family that settled and established Big Lake (Spanish Point), the old settlement. He served in the Navy as III class petty officer in the Pacific, thereafter in World War II and ended his time on the Island of Attu after being stationed in Dutch Harbor. He served from 1943 to 1945. He was a 32nd degree Master Mason and was a member of free and accepted Masonic Lodge 165 in Lake Charles for over 60 years. He retired from the Calcasieu Locks as Head Lockmaster for the Corp of Engineers after 25 years of service. He also served as a Cameron Parish Deputy during the 70's. Mr. DeVall loved to fish, shrimp, hunt, and oyster all of his life. He personally operated a construction company to build and rebuild wharfs and was a credited house painter in which very few could surpass.

Above all of this, his favorite thing was to serve Christ. He was youth league pastor for 30 years and song leader as well as Assistant Pastor from time to time over many years at Big Lake Gospel Tabernacle. He was known for his Christmas plays that he would write each year for the youth group dating back to over 60 years. He and the love of his life, Florence were the first couple married in that church, on dirt floors, by the Rev. John E. Murdock.

Mr. DeVall was preceded in death by his parents, Simmie and Annie Fults DeVall; a brother, Simmie DeVall, Sr.; two sisters, Katherine Askew Fewell and Margie Thomas Parish; a self declared brother, Jessie Parish; one son, Ernest G. (Ernie) DeVall, Jr. Also preceding him in death were three very close nieces, Joann Lavergne, Belinda DeVall, and Daisy Bell Askew.

He is survived by the love of his life, Florence Fontenot DeVall, whom he was married to for over 65 years; two daughters, Gwendolyn Kirby and husband Stan of Big Lake and Wanda Flo DeVall; and one son, Gregory DeVall, Sr. and wife Pamela, all of Lake Charles. Also seven grandchildren, James W. Pourteau and wife Shannon of Boston, MA, Marcus G. Pourteau of VA; Gregory DeVall, Jr. and wife Kristi of Big Lake; Amanda Huskins and husband Garrett; Jared W. DeVall and Joshua C. DeVall, all of Harrison, AR, and Kari Dupin of Friendswood, TX; as well as eight great-grandchildren. Also nieces and nephews, Roger Thomas and wife Sharon of Moss Bluff, Kathy Thomas, and Ferrel Thomas and wife Patsy, all of Lake Charles, Gail LeJeune and husband Arnold of Moss Bluff, and Wayne DeVall and wife Kaye of Lake Charles; and many more that are too many to mention, but not forgotten.

Mr. DeVall will be remembered for many things, but especially his unrelenting faith in God, his service to his Lord and Master, and the desire to reach young people to show them a better life thru Christ. He has touched many lives through his faithfulness in the Lord and his word as his bond.

Eulogies will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 1:00 PM by the Reverends Garry Mann and Dr. W. H. Yarbrough, followed by a Masonic Rite. Military Burial will be at Pujol Cemetery in Big Lake, LA. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and continue on Thursday from 8:00 AM until the start of the service.

He also believed to give flowers while we are living, so in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to the Shriner's Hospital or a charity of your choice.