Dan DeVaux

A lover of life, his family and animals, Daniel Joseph DeVaux was born on May 11, 1949, to Helen and Joseph DeVaux, in West Seattle. Attending all West Seattle schools, he graduated from West Seattle high school in 1967. He attended the University of Washington, obtaining a degree in economics.

A man of values, Dan was a conscientious objector during the Vietnam war and performed alternative service at an alcoholic treatment center in Sumner. It was then that he first rented a home at Lake Tapps, the precursor to his future home on the Lake, the family home of 34 years, so far.

Dan worked primarily in sales, first in the car business as a sales representative for Fiat and a district manager for Mazda, then he built his own dealerships creating Honda of Fife and Acura of Lynnwood. He also opened a used car business in Tacoma, Cars Cost Less, with two of his best friends. After selling that business he became an entrepreneur who purchased investment properties and timberland.

Dan married Deborah Dietz in 1974, and they had two daughters, Danielle and Dominique. His second wife was Diane Hall. They married in 1989 and had a daughter Suzanne and a son Nicholas.

In 1998, Dan married Toni Mikelson, the love of his life. Together for 32 years and married for 28 years, Dan and Toni devoted themselves to building strong family connections and Toni brought a whole ohana (family) of Mikelson‘s into the mix.

Their home is the center of family holidays and celebrations and has served as a home away from home, or short-term housing, for many.

Dan loved babies and cats. He enjoyed hiking and fishing in local rivers, the Lake, and at sea.

He was admired by many, serving as a mentor to friends and relatives.

Following a courageous 8-year battle with cancer, Dan passed away on Sunday, August 16th with his wife and kids at his side. A Celebration of Life will be held Sept 12th at 2pmat Valley Burial, 217 Pioneer, Puyallup, WA.

Dan is survived by his wife Toni, his four children: Danielle (Jeremy) Marzofka, Dominique (Brendan) Jeffords, Suzanne (D.J) Konkel, and Nick (Ercia) DeVaux, many nephews and nieces, a brother John DeVaux, and a sister Nancy DeVaux. Dan and Toni have six grandchildren: Bradley, Daisy, Eden, Reese, Bodhi and Celeste. Also, grandogs Rebel, Roscoe, Baxter, Finn and Copper. And a grand bearded dragon, Anna Marie.

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fred Hutch Cancer Center or the Auburn Humane Society, organizations both supported by Dan.