Obituary for Devere G. Fair
Devere G. Fair, 85, of Indianapolis, passed away Sunday, December 4th, 2022. He was born September 3rd, 1937 in Indianapolis to his parents Glen Fair and Zelda (Burns) Fair Hadley. He married Jane (Schnaiter) Fair on February 3rd, 1956. He was a resident of Indianapolis for most of his life.
Devere is survived by his loving wife of nearly 67 years, Jane (Schnaiter) Fair of Indianapolis; one daughter, Jo Ellen Fair (James Delehanty); one son, John Fair (Cara Breidster); three grandchildren: Mela Shah (Robert DesJarlais), William Fair, and Lilly Fair; and one brother, Charles Dudley Fair. Devere is preceded in death by both of his parents; one sister, Debra Fair; and one brother, Dave Fair.
Devere was a 1956 graduate of Martinsville High School. While in high school, Devere was a 4-year letterman in football, where he played guard and linebacker. He was a 3-year All South Conference lineman. In 1955 he was awarded MVP and in that same year took All-State. Devere was the first football player from Martinsville High to receive a football scholarship to Purdue University. His talents didn't stop there, he was a 2-year letterman in baseball as a catcher. After high school, Devere attended Purdue University. While getting his education, he was a Varsity letterman and a very distinguished student from 1958-1960. He graduated with his Master's degree in 1967. Devere's talents didn't stop there, in 1960 he started at Crawfordsville High School as an Assistant Varsity Football Coach and in spring, became the Junior High Football Coach. In 1961, he became the Assistant Football Coach for Wabash High School. During his time there, he was named Head Football Coach. In 1963, Devere lead his team to win the Central Indiana Conference Title for the first time in 24 years. He was later named "Coach of the Year" and established the Junior Football Program. His record for Wabash High School in three years was 14-11-3. After leaving Wabash in 1965, Devere would begin the journey with Decatur Central High School, that would leave an impression on all. During his time with Decatur he was Head Football Coach until 1972, ending with a record of 59-18-2, which included a 32 game winning streak. Devere was a 4-year Marion County "B" Champion, as well as a 4-year Mid-State Conference Champion from 1968-1971. Coaching football at Decatur wasn't the only sport he coached. In 1965 to 1970 he was an Assistant Wrestling Coach, as well as an Assistant Baseball Coach. In 1970, Devere became the Decatur Central High School Athletic Director until 1993. 28 years of dedication at Decatur Central High School, Hoosier high school sports, as well as education in general, is what would name him as a Indiana high school athletic legend.
The Decatur Central High School Football Stadium is named in honor of their former beloved Coach Devere Fair. Three undefeated seasons and his team's conference titles are only a few of his athletic accomplishments. Before his favorite coaching hat and shoes were retired and encased in a plastic display, the man known almost as much for phrases used to motivate his players, as his no-nonsense coaching style, had lead him to titles that hadn't been achieved in years and put Decatur Central on the map across the state. Devere was a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame and the state's high school wrestling Hall of Fame. He also was known throughout Hoosier sports circles for his enthusiasm over hosting state wrestling events at Decatur Central facilities. Off the field, Devere devoted his classroom duties to bringing the world of science to his students' lives. During his teaching career, he earned three National Science Scholarships.
Devere loved to travel, especially with his wife, Jane. He enjoyed spending time with family as well.
Family and friends may show their love and support for a memorial gathering from 4 to 8 pm on Friday, December 9th at Jones Crossing Banquet Center in Mooresville. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Jones Family Mortuary in Mooresville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made in Devere's memory to Riley Children's Hospital or to the Decatur Central High School Athletics Department.
To send a condolence to the family or to share a story about Devere, please visit: www.jonesfamilymortuary.com
Devere is survived by his loving wife of nearly 67 years, Jane (Schnaiter) Fair of Indianapolis; one daughter, Jo Ellen Fair (James Delehanty); one son, John Fair (Cara Breidster); three grandchildren: Mela Shah (Robert DesJarlais), William Fair, and Lilly Fair; and one brother, Charles Dudley Fair. Devere is preceded in death by both of his parents; one sister, Debra Fair; and one brother, Dave Fair.
Devere was a 1956 graduate of Martinsville High School. While in high school, Devere was a 4-year letterman in football, where he played guard and linebacker. He was a 3-year All South Conference lineman. In 1955 he was awarded MVP and in that same year took All-State. Devere was the first football player from Martinsville High to receive a football scholarship to Purdue University. His talents didn't stop there, he was a 2-year letterman in baseball as a catcher. After high school, Devere attended Purdue University. While getting his education, he was a Varsity letterman and a very distinguished student from 1958-1960. He graduated with his Master's degree in 1967. Devere's talents didn't stop there, in 1960 he started at Crawfordsville High School as an Assistant Varsity Football Coach and in spring, became the Junior High Football Coach. In 1961, he became the Assistant Football Coach for Wabash High School. During his time there, he was named Head Football Coach. In 1963, Devere lead his team to win the Central Indiana Conference Title for the first time in 24 years. He was later named "Coach of the Year" and established the Junior Football Program. His record for Wabash High School in three years was 14-11-3. After leaving Wabash in 1965, Devere would begin the journey with Decatur Central High School, that would leave an impression on all. During his time with Decatur he was Head Football Coach until 1972, ending with a record of 59-18-2, which included a 32 game winning streak. Devere was a 4-year Marion County "B" Champion, as well as a 4-year Mid-State Conference Champion from 1968-1971. Coaching football at Decatur wasn't the only sport he coached. In 1965 to 1970 he was an Assistant Wrestling Coach, as well as an Assistant Baseball Coach. In 1970, Devere became the Decatur Central High School Athletic Director until 1993. 28 years of dedication at Decatur Central High School, Hoosier high school sports, as well as education in general, is what would name him as a Indiana high school athletic legend.
The Decatur Central High School Football Stadium is named in honor of their former beloved Coach Devere Fair. Three undefeated seasons and his team's conference titles are only a few of his athletic accomplishments. Before his favorite coaching hat and shoes were retired and encased in a plastic display, the man known almost as much for phrases used to motivate his players, as his no-nonsense coaching style, had lead him to titles that hadn't been achieved in years and put Decatur Central on the map across the state. Devere was a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame and the state's high school wrestling Hall of Fame. He also was known throughout Hoosier sports circles for his enthusiasm over hosting state wrestling events at Decatur Central facilities. Off the field, Devere devoted his classroom duties to bringing the world of science to his students' lives. During his teaching career, he earned three National Science Scholarships.
Devere loved to travel, especially with his wife, Jane. He enjoyed spending time with family as well.
Family and friends may show their love and support for a memorial gathering from 4 to 8 pm on Friday, December 9th at Jones Crossing Banquet Center in Mooresville. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Jones Family Mortuary in Mooresville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made in Devere's memory to Riley Children's Hospital or to the Decatur Central High School Athletics Department.
To send a condolence to the family or to share a story about Devere, please visit: www.jonesfamilymortuary.com