Russell Louis Coulon DeVillier, 87, passed away in Port Arthur, Texas on January 27, 2026. Originally from Groves, Texas, Russ was the third son born to John and Aline DeVillier. There were three things that were particularly important to Russell: Faith, Family, and Sports.
Russ attributed his strong Catholic faith to his parents who were devoted members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Groves where his mom served selflessly as part of the altar guild and his dad helped build the original church altar. He’s the last surviving sibling of the DeVillier clan from Jefferson Street. Brothers, Charlie and John, were good big brothers and role models, and John was the reason Russ discovered a love of writing. His sister, Mary Louise, was closer to his age, and he fondly remembered their time playing together while growing up. When not serving as an active part of the church or at school, you could find Russ listening to a ballgame. As a kid, his favorite pastime was baseball and admitted to skipping school to listen to his favorite Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series on the radio which landed him in hot water with his parents and principal, Mr. Monk.
Growing up in a close-knit family, Russell knew he wanted to have a family of his own one day. And, when he met Patricia “Jeep” McDonald, he knew she was the one. Together, they had two sons, Craig DeVillier and Mark DeVillier, who made them both so proud. Unfortunately, Jeep passed away in 1976 in a tragic car accident on the way home from a teacher’s conference, and their lives were forever changed.
Russ would tell anyone who would listen that he was lucky enough to have found love a second time with Beth DeVillier. The two met through a mutual friend at Lamar University and dated for fifteen years before tying the knot. In June, they celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary surrounded by loved ones. Their love story set an example for their children, Craig, Mark, and Amanda, as they worked hard to blend their family. Together, they travelled, attended as many Nederland and Lamar Athletics events as possible (with football and basketball among his favorites), appreciated music and theater, and served others. Russ’ favorite moments, however, were those surrounded by family. Whether cooking gumbo for a crowd, or hosting Christmas breakfast, Russ loved his family. In fact, Pops was likely his favorite role. He was so proud of his grandkids and all that they were doing in the world.
Russ’ skills in both writing and photography led him to a position as a sportswriter at the Port Arthur News in the 50’s and 60’s and then to Lamar University as the public information director in the 70’s. Eventually, Russ turned his love of people and photography into his own business at the Cameraman in Nederland, a popular place for studio sessions and photo processing.
Russ was a tireless servant. Whether it was serving on the Nederland ISD School Board, getting up at 4am to start cooking at the Hospitality Center in Port Arthur, or hosting an early morning rosary twice a month for men in his parish for many years, Russ believed that we all had something to give back to the community around us. He also invested in St. Charles and the ministries there including the Knights of Columbus of which he was a founding 68-year member.
Russ was preceded in death by his parents, John and Aline DeVillier, brothers John DeVillier and Charles DeVillier, sister, Mary Wells, and first wife and mother to his sons, Patricia “Jeep” McDonald DeVillier and in-laws D.A. and Zella Mae McDonald. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Beth DeVillier of Nederland, Texas, sons Craig DeVillier and wife, Kristina, Mark DeVillier and wife Stacey all of Nederland, and daughter, Amanda McLauchlin, of League City, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Mikala Welch, and husband Cooper of Josephine, Texas, Dr. Nicholas DeVillier of Denver, Colorado, and Sara DeVillier of Nederland, Texas, brother and sister-in-law Mike and Kay Johnson, sister-in-law Lynne Hollomon, brother and sister-in-law Gavin and Catherine Bruney and brother and sister-in-law Mike and Gretchen Hughes. A blended family brought many extra blessings including Amber Wallis, Leah Wallis and Derek, Preston, and Emily, Rylie McGallion and husband, Noah, and Sophia Chestnutt. He also maintained communication with all his nieces and nephews. Anyone who knew Russ also knows how important his grand and great-granddogs were to him including Luke, Maisie, Archie, Clara, Poppy, Prince, Milla, Marlee, Bear, and Winston.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 1 from 4-6pm at Melancon Levingston Funeral Home in Nederland and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Nederland and the Rite of Committal will be at Oak Bluff Cemetery in Port Neches, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of Russ’ favored organizations, The H.O.W. Center (2509 Cable Ave, Beaumont, TX 77703), The Hospitality Center, a project of SETX Catholic Charities (https://www.ccsetx.org/hospitality-center-program) or Sleep in Heavenly Peace- Beaumont (https://shpbeds.org/).