DeVore's father made a living by "whatever means was necessary, including making moonshine and stealing coal."
The family moved back to Detroit in 1934, and DeVore quit school at the age of 16 to start working.
He was employed in "various construction trades, auto factories," and ended up working for the United States Postal Service for 22 years.
[2] Starting in about 1938, DeVore accumulated an extensive collection of fannish culture and science fiction-related artifacts and publications.
[3][4] In his later years, as his health was in decline, DeVore donated original and electronic copies of much of his collection to various science fiction-themed archives.
[3] Later that year, DeVore was posthumously made Fan Guest of Honor at 64th World Science Fiction Convention, held in Los Angeles.