DR. JOHN EDWIN DEVORE

Welcome to my world; and to the life of a work-in-process “experience junkie” making a trek from “trained killer” to “spiritual warrior,” where peace of mind, creativity and joy have been tasted and celebrated.
Born and raised in Northwestern Ohio farm country, my hometown was Sherwood, population 500. Life as a kid found me sweeping the floor and waiting on customers in the family owned hardware store.
As a student of life, the perfectionist tendencies have been obsessed with the process of education: Defiance High School accolades; humbled by joining the Long Gray Line as a graduate of West Point; and followed by 10 years of graduate academics, the study of meditation, the wisdom traditions, golf management and golf teaching.
As a soldier my assignments included two years of combat during the Vietnam War as an advisor, rifle company commander and infantry battalion operations officer. In 1970, I was honorably discharged and will always be proud of my decorations and service to our country.
Following military service I spent a 27-year tour of duty with corporate America in a variety of leadership positions and as a consultant. Working twenty-one years for the Coors Brewing Company was the highlight of my civilian career. Following retirement in 1993, the search for a new beginning found me as ranch hand, human resources executive for a ski and golf company and carpenter for my son’s construction company. Retirement continues to unfold: fine tuning the golf game, learning to play the piano and publishing two books, Sitting in the Flames: Uncovering the Fearlessness to Help Others and Golfer’s Palette: Preparing for Peak Performance.
My family has always offered light posts for my journey. As a spouse, “popps” for three delightful kids and grandpa for six grandkids, who offer a constant supply of seeds for spiritual vitality, the challenge is to have my soil ready to receive them. Today, an “ah ha” is that connection is the key to uncovering the artist that rests within. We each have personal challenges and my learning is that going to breath, quieting the mind and connecting with moment-to-moment choices unleashes the creative spirit to carve the life visualized and dreamed. Our scars tell us where we have been, they do not dictate where we intend to go.