Obituary: Rev. Dr. Paul W. Devantier, former executive director of LCMS Communications

Devantier

The Rev. Dr. Paul Walter Devantier, former executive director of Communications for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), died on Nov. 30. He was 79.

Devantier was a native of Wausau, Wis. At the time of his death, he had been married to Ellen (Stapel) Devantier for 55 years. The Devantiers were blessed with five children and, over the course of their marriage, cared for more than 80 foster children.

A graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (M.Div., 1972), Devantier also held a master’s in mass communication from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Ill. (1993), and a Doctor of Letters from Concordia University, Nebraska, Seward, Neb. (1998).

Devantier became director of development for KFUO Radio and KFUO-FM following his ordination into the Holy Ministry. He was appointed general manager of the stations and executive secretary of the Synod’s Board for Lutheran Radio in 1974. He became executive director of the LCMS Board for Communication Services in 1982 — a position he held for 18 years. In 2000, he accepted a call to serve as chief communications officer for Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., in Watertown, Wis.

Devantier was the speaker and president for the internationally syndicated radio program “By the Way.” He was a trustee and president of Lutheran Film Associates, producing programs that were recognized with a variety of awards, including an Emmy nomination. He served as a script consultant for a teen pregnancy film that received the First Place Gold Camera Award at the U.S. International Film and Video Festival. The Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities honored him for his media efforts on behalf of those with developmental disabilities.

Devantier was a guest speaker on “The Lutheran Hour” and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis., in 2006. He and his family received the Outstanding Adoptive/Foster Parent award from the Adoption and Foster Care Coalition of Missouri and the “Friend of Adoption” award from the National Council for Adoption. His advocacy for adoption and foster care included his service as national director of the Adoption Awareness Program, headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Devantier wrote numerous articles and served as a guest lecturer and professor as well as a part-time and vacancy parish pastor.

Devantier was executive director of LCMS Communications during a nine-year religious freedom case involving KFUO Radio. The case ended in 1998 in a positive, landmark decision by the U.S. Court of Federal Appeals in Washington, D.C.

In a 2024 article about the case written for The Lutheran Witness as part of a celebration of KFUO’s 100th anniversary, Devantier wrote:

“It was a major religious freedom victory for all religious radio stations and it marked the survival of two Synod radio stations, the licenses alone worth millions of dollars. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ would continue to be proclaimed.”

Devantier was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ella Devantier, and his sisters, Ruth and Kathleen. He is survived by his wife, Ellen; his children, Richard, John (Melissa), Andrew, Katie (Johnny) and Susie; and 12 grandchildren.

Posted Jan. 2, 2026