Luther A. DeShazo

Luther A. DeShazo, 92, entered the gates of Heaven on Wednesday, May 15, 2018 following a long battle with health issues. He is survived by his devoted wife, Marie, of 74 years; sons, Keith DeShazo and wife Dawn of Springdale, AR, Kelvin DeShazo and wife Kelli of Tyler, Kyle DeShazo and wife Jill of Tyler and daughter, Karen McQueary and husband John of Athens, TX; ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and sister, Wanda Pedro of Irvine, CA. Mr. DeShazo was born January 16, 1926, in Saltillo, TX to Nora Taylor and William DeShazo. Luther and Marie were married in Mt. Vernon, TX. In 1944, he left to serve our country aboard the destroyer USS Denver as a Seaman First Class ship’s gunner fighting the Japanese in the Pacific in WWII. Following the war, he returned to Tyler where he has been a life-long resident for the past 73 years, holding positions with the Tyler Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Rotary Club and past president of the former Briarwood Country Club. “Luke,” as he was called by his friends and opponents, was known and recognized as one of the toughest softball pitchers in Texas during the late 1950’s to the mid 1960’s. Winning numerous softball championships, he was also chosen to pitch an exhibition against Eddie Feigner of the famous towering team known as the “King and his court”. Putting himself through the Tyler Federal Institute of Business, Luther accepted a position with the former Sledge’s Manufacturing Co., where he was ultimately promoted to General Manager of the facility. Choosing not to leave Tyler on a transfer, he retired and founded his own business venture, DeShazo Transportation, Inc. in which he was active until 2012. A member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Luther was the patriarch of the family and known to all the children as “Papa”. A gentle and kind man, he never had a shortage of friends or people who respected him for his family devotion. Weekend camping trips with the “Kids” was his favorite pastime and he never missed a ball game, golf tournament, dance recital, or holiday get- together. The celebration of Luther’s life will be held on Friday, May 18, 2018 at Stewart Funeral Home Chapel, 7572 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, TX, at 2:30 p.m., with Bryan Grant officiating. Interment will follow at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery. The visitation will be held from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Luther A. DeShazo

January 16, 1926 - May 15, 2018