03/04/2026
Back in 2018, 2019 when I got into the mobile home industry Alfred set alot of homes for me. As time went on he told me he wanted to retire and he wanted me to buy Sunflower. April of 2020 i sat with him and his mother Lavada and we made a deal and I purchased the company. I was proud to take over such a great company name.
Boy we were off to the races. We built the crews up, staff, equipment and worked our tails off. We 10x'd Sunflower by end of year 2. Sometimes we wouldn't be home for weeks at a time. Alfred was showing us the ropes and being a great mentor. We'd sit outside the hotels at night and he tell us story after story.
Alfred Devling, Lavada Devling and their family treated me and my children like family. We went tractor showing together, auctions, trips, every taco Tuesday, you name it. And Arthur was always right there too. Lavada believed our paths were just meant to cross. When she passed away things got alot harder.
If you knew Alfred you knew he was stubborn as a mule and well so am i so we also butted heads and fought like family. The truth is though, Alfred Devling had a kind heart and would do anything for ya. He especially would for me. He treated me like a son.
My team and I are honored to carry on Sunflower Mobile Homes at its new location in Maysville, MO. The Elwood location is shutting down.
Though times can get tough and sometimes you have messes to clean up we expect a bright and long future for Sunflower.
RIP Alfred. You will be missed.
- Russel
