Frank DeVol was born on September 20, 1911, in Moundsville, West Virginia, to Herman Frank DeVol and Minnie Emma (Humphreys) DeVol. His early life was spent in Canton, Ohio, where his father had a "pit" orchestra at the local movie house and his mother ran a sewing shop.
Growing up, Frank was exposed to music from a young age, with his father also serving as an accountant. He graduated from McKinley High School in 1929 and attended Miami University for six weeks before deciding to pursue a musical career instead of law, as his parents had hoped.
Frank joined the musicians' union at the age of 14 and worked with his father in the theatre orchestra, playing the violin and saxophone. He later joined Emerson Gill's orchestra in Ohio and traveled the state, before moving on to Horace Heidt's band, where he became an arranger.
In the 1940s, Frank traveled with Alvino Rey's band, which led to long-term friendships with The King Family. He eventually settled in California in 1943 and started his own band, appearing on KHJ radio and accompanying various radio shows, including those hosted by Jack Carson and Jack Smith.
With the advent of television, Frank began working on shows such as The Betty White Show and The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, among others. He also broke into movie composing, scoring the music for over 50 films.
In addition to his work as a composer, Frank was also a character actor, appearing in both films and television shows. He collaborated with Mack David and Bobby Helfer on several popular songs, including "I've Written A Letter to Daddy", "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?", and "Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte".
Frank DeVol was married twice, first to Grayce, with whom he had two daughters, and then to Helen O'Connell, with whom he had no children. Helen passed away two years after their marriage due to cancer.
Frank DeVol passed away on October 27, 1999, in Lafayette, California, leaving behind two daughters and four grandchildren.
