Dean Derby

Dean you were one of my heroes at Wa Hi. You were our first period PE instructor my freshman year (along with Dean Hartwig, Tony Hepler and Bob Cox. Four of the greatest athletes to ever come out of WaHi. Felix Fletcher was our PE teacher. I looked up to all of you. Your credentials speak for themselves Dean! I had the pleasure of working with your father at Frontier Machinery.
RIP Dean.

Dean Derby, what a guy. We have many fond memories of Dean and Shari when they lived in Minnesota.
Especially through the Episcopal church and Cursillo. His absence will leave a very large space in many hearts. Blessings and God's Peace to Shari and all of the family. His ranch has gotten a lot bigger.

Dean was a Titan that left his mark on so many people in so many places and will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all he touched. A fine husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, mentor, businessman, winemaker, rancher, NFL and collegiate football star, patriot, volunteer and friend to countless people. I have been blessed over the last 20+ years each October for the opportunity to join Dean and his family on their beautiful ranch in Waitsburg for the pheasant hunting opener. So many fond memories of great comradery, laughs, stories, fine bird dog work and wing shooting with great meals and wine grown on the property at the end of each day. Dean was to me a great friend, role model and a mentor with great wisdom, advice and stories to share. Albeit we weren't connected by blood - I adopted him very early on as 'Uncle Dean' too. I will miss him but know he is now in a better place looking down on all of us with his famous smile ear to ear and his trademark contagious laugh echoing throughout the heavens. Thank you for everything you shared and rest in peace Uncle Dean.

Sincerely,
Your friend JR Stevens

Sorry for the passing of Dean. May Shari family stay close to her. from Joe Noble

Leon and I send our sympathy to Dean’s wife and family. We had the pleasure of meeting him only once, but have heard many wonderful stories over the past years.

Dean was just the nicest and most likable guy, we’ll miss you dean.

Cousin Dean stood tall for me as I grew up. He was Gibraltar. His smile is seared into my memory. He exuded profound love and caring for his family and friends. Always, I could easily find him at the rodeo. His cowboy hat was visible above the surrounding crowd. Of course, Dean was bigger than life. That was his way. Shari was an inseparable component in his life’s equation. His spirit on loan from God blessed each and everyone he touched.