Richard "Dick" Derrickson
October 16, 1926 - January 3, 2022
Lexington, Kentucky - Richard "Dick" Derrickson passed away at home to his next life's adventure on January 3, 2022. An ordinary man in many respects, he lived a truly extraordinary life. He was born on October 16, 1926 to Alvis and Brown Derrickson, grew up in Lexington and graduated from Lafayette High School 1944. He was a member of Lafayette's first State Championship team in 1942. He drew the attention of Coach Adolph Rupp and was offered a scholarship upon graduation from high school in 1944. He played part of the 1944-45 season for the Wildcats before being inducted into the Army in January of 1945. He served in the Pacific Theatre and received the Purple Heart at the Battle of Okinawa in April of 1945. Upon discharge from the service, he began a 36 year career with the U.S. Postal Service, which he completed as a Customer Representative for Lexington and the surrounding area. In 1947 he met the love of his life and wife of 68 years, Frances Turner Derrickson, who had come to Lexington from Greenville, SC to train as a U.S. Navy Nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital. Together they had 3 children and spent countless hours watching their activities and those of their grandchildren. Mr. Derrickson's greatest joy in life was watching the activities of his grandchildren. He and Frances traveled all over the United States following the grandkids. His years working for the Lexington-Fayette County Parks and Recreation Department are what most people in Lexington will remember. He chaired the committee that planned, raised the funds, and built Southland Park. He coached Little League and Babe Ruth League baseball from 1958-1966 and umpired softball at Southland Park for over 25 years, always after his 6 am to 2:30 pm shift at the Postal Service. Most kids who grew up in the South end of Lexington and participated in sports during the 50's, 60's, 70's or 80's, probably played in one of the Parks and Recreation football or basketball leagues he supervised for 42 years. He hired the coaches and all the officials and always tried to make sure that his leagues were safe, fun, and fair for everyone. He loved to talk about all the youngsters who had played in those leagues and went on to play and coach in high school, college, and professional sports. One of his football officials even went on to become Supervisor of Officials in the NFL!. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances and sister Betty Rucker. Survivors include his 3 children, Mary (Greg) Shaw, Dale (Larry) Langfels, and Rick (Judy) Derrickson; 8 grandchildren, Jeff (Kellie) Derrickson, Laura (Scott) Herkamp, Derrick (Erica) Langfels, Jayson (Courtney) Langfels, Jamie (Jeff) Caudill, Rachel (Charlie) Manzullo, Julie Shaw, and Vince (Lauren) Shaw; and 5 great grandchildren. A special thank you from the family to Scott Crook and the staff at Performance Physical Therapy for their tremendous care and friendship. There will be a graveside service prior to burial at 1:30 pm Thurs., Jan. 6 at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life is planned at Southland Park later this spring or summer. In lieu of flowers, take a kid to a ball game, buy them a glove, bat, or ball; or make a donation to your local recreation department or youth sports league. That's what he would have wanted.