Derek was full of life and light — a man who never met a stranger, always had a silly joke to share & greeted the world with a smile.
To those who didn’t know him, Derek’s endless chattiness might have seemed like a fault. But to those who loved him, his capacity to talk and connect with people was exactly what made him so lovable.
Derek was born in Arkansas, where he was given the foundation of faith that would guide him in life. Raised in California, he developed a character of discipline & endurance. In high school, he was a cross-country runner, learning how to pace himself through life’s long, demanding roads. That same focus drove him to earn his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice & achieve the rank of Black Belt in Martial Arts, mastering the balance of strength & humility.
Derek dedicated his life to the service of others as a State Trooper. He was a protector by nature, walking into difficult situations with a calm spirit and an unshakeable love for Jesus.
After retiring in 2011, Derek poured his heart into rescuing unwanted dogs, giving a voice to those who couldn’t speak for themselves. However, his greatest joy was his family. He deeply loved being a husband, dad, and grandpa.
In June 2025, Derek & his wife moved to Arizona to begin a new chapter. Life, however, brought its heaviest cross just a few months later when, in October 2025, he lost Tange, the love of his life & wife of 32 years. He was devastated & heartbroken. Exactly 82 days later, Derek passed away. But his mission to protect & love others never wavered. He gave the ultimate gift of life to people he would never meet by choosing to be an organ donor.
Some would say, his soul simply rushed to catch up with Tange, unable to stay apart for long. Derek finished his earthly race just like his high school track days — strong, faithful & running straight into the arms of Jesus & the woman he adored. His legacy of generosity is a reminder to pet every dog & the proof that you can never love too much!
