Derek Lew Akerson

It was actually garlic we braided! :) For some reason I was thinking onions.

Although Papa Derek (as us grandkids called him) wasn't my biological grandfather, he might as well have been, as I was born just three months after he and my grandma, Elsie, tied the knot! Papa Derek was a wonderful grandpa and I always looked forward to seeing him. Simply put, he was one cool guy! I love how into fashion he was, and I will never forget that he was the one who taught me how to braid by showing me how to braid onion stalks together. I am so grateful that my husband got to...

Derek will be missed by so many as he was so charming and charismatic, had a great sense of humor, was fair and thoughtful, generous and kind.
I will always appreciate how well he treated his family and friends, and even friends of family. He lived and loved life as fully as anyone could ever wish for!
Over the years I have heard his daughter, my dearest friend say many many times "I had a wonderful childhood"...she remembers her father loving her and her sister unconditionally,...

My stepdad DEREK was the best father to me and granddad to my kids. I felt his fatherly love and advice and feel truly blessed that he treated me as his own. With a great sense of humor, he lived life to the fullest and was simply the most interesting person in the world! Life will never be the same now without Papa Derek but we will always carry him in our hearts and be better people because of him.

Just want to make a correction so at least those reading the guest book will know I made a mistake and spelled Fyfe as Fife. Don't know how I did that but perhaps the stress of writing an obit for my darling husband. And he did love his sister's family so much.
Elsie Akerson

My heart goes out to my best friend Erin who loved her father so much and her family.

A truly nice guy with an extraordinary wit. Derek was also a very kind person. I never heard him say a bad word about anybody.

RIP, Derek

Lot's of fun memories of the times we spent at your cabin in ZigZag so long ago. It's hard losing our parents, my thoughts are with you Erin and family!
Robin Rife Hollowell

How wonderful life was with you in the world!! Best dad ever! I miss you every minute.