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Charles Derr Obituary


CHARLES McCLELLAN DERR (Age 88)  
On Saturday, January 8, 2011, of Kensington, MD. Beloved husband of Dorothy Derr; father of Richard of Alexandria, VA, Robert of Baltimore, MD, Kenneth of Rochester, MN, Thomas of Silver Spring, MD, Michael of Urbana, MD and the late Dorothy Derr. Also survived by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard, West, Silver Spring, MD, on Thursday, January 13 at 1 p.m. Private interment at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad, 11435 Grandview Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com  

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 10, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Derr

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4 Entries

Myra Gross

January 12, 2011

Pinky, May you be comforted by all your memories and the love and support of your family and friends. Love, Myra

Roslyn Levinson

January 12, 2011

Pinky, My heartfelt condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Be comforted by the support of your family and friends who love you. Love, Roz Levinson

Ruthi Friedman

January 11, 2011

Pinky, I am so shocked and saddened to hear of your loss. I send you my thoughts, prayers and love.

My grandfather, Boniface Campbell... my father, Charles Derr and my uncle James Colson. (They're chatting, not fighting, Tommy.)

Kenneth Derr

January 11, 2011

Charles M. Derr, my Dad, was governed by the laws of physics, as are all living things. It is a scientific fact that hearts and clocks slow down as they approach the speed of light, the point at which matter is converted into energy. My Dad's heart approached that speed Saturday, converting his matter into energy - into pure, white light. Though he is no longer with us, he is all around us.

We often hear people who have lost a loved one express regrets that they didn't do this or they didn't say that. When I was young, I can't remember if I ever told my Dad that I loved him. Of course I DID, but many of us (especially men) have trouble actually saying those three words and then when it's too late to say them, many wish they could have one more chance to say them. I'm blessed in that about 10 years ago, my father was seriously ill and went into a coma and I prayed for a second chance to tell him that I loved him. My prayer was answered, he recovered and had been active, ambulatory and unimpaired for these last 10 years. When at first I started blatantly telling him that I loved him, he'd get embarrassed a bit and maybe mumble, "Me, too." Eventually, I got him saying, "I love you, too, Kenny." I'm eternally grateful for the second chance on Earth and I know that wherever I go, my father will always be with me.

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Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, Inc. - Silver Spring

500 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring, MD 20901

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