Deron R. Thorp

Coach Deron Thorp,
Though I have only known you for just a brief period of time you have given me a model of who I want to be in the future. Coach Thorp you have been the greatest role model in my life. Your humor, generosity, and caring will never be forgotten. I love you Coach Thorp and I will never forget you.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.

Derron,
It was such a pleasure to have known you and passed you at work at Cisco. My wife and I both love you and your entire family. We only heard recently of having been struck down in the prime of your life. We will not forget you and especially your surviving family and children.
Mark and Betsy Kerby

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." ~Kahlil Gibran

It was a pure joy to have known Deron & he will be remembered with delight by all who knew and loved him.

"dammit, good freinds!" Bruthaman,
Still in shock... D Thorp, you'll be missed. Thank you for being there to listen to me complain about Coach K. I don't think I'd ever have made it through college if you weren't there. Some of my fondest memories will be hanging out at you and Rich's apartment with Scott Saber and D Rupp. We'd make fun of Dedrick and your brother. Maybe Doug Batistic would show up... I'm so sad I didn't get to say goodbye or how much you meant to me. To G... keep being strong, and tell your kids how much of a roll model Deron was.

Thorp, I miss you man. It is hard to believe that you are gone after seeing how happy you were that Friday after our game. I miss your enthusiasm, your work ethic, and your humor. It's weird not seeing e-mails at 11:30pm talking about pass protection. You were a great coach, who had faith in everybody and pushed all of us to do our best. Thanks for everything Coach, you mean the world to us.

"I'M PUMPED UP!"

My sympathy, thoughts and prayers to Mr. Thorps family and friends.

I worked at the Home Depot on Hamilton Ave for almost 4 years, and he was a regular, favorite customer. He always went out of his way to come and say hello to me. He was very personable, friendly, and funny. He always had a smile. The last time I saw him was I believe my last week working there. I thought about telling him that I had quit but I decided not to. Now I wish I had only so that I could have told him how nice it was to have met him. I didnt know him very personally but I cant express how sad I was to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace. And may you all have strength to get through this difficult time.

My husband already signed this, but I feel compelled to write my own message for Deron:

Deron, the only way I can make sense of the fact that you are no longer with us is that you were too good for this world. Wherever you are right now, you are making a difference in a way that only "Big D" could. You will always be remembered and your kind and loving spirit will inspire us forever. We will always think of you and love you, man.

Where to begin... You were the greatest thing that has ever happened to me in football. You came right into our Harker line, shaped us up, and fired us up until we played the best we could. I love you Coach Thorp, and may you rest in peace big man.

Your Forever Center,
David "Scream" Belogolovsky

Deron,
You have become an amazing person in life and have done so much for so many people. You are truly an inspiration for me as a person and as a father. I am sad to see you go. I have a lot of good memories of you and will always remember you. Rest in peace big man.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Thorp family.

Phil, Mitone, Mia & Ayla

Please accept my condolences for your loss, Deron was a great guy. I played basketball with "Big Country" in the weekend warrior games the past few years. He was always smiling. I can still remember seeing him soon after the birth of his daughters and seeing the proud look on his face. This is a huge loss for everyone that knew him.

My families thoughts and prayers are with you.

Big D, bigger than big, huge, so your energy be always near, each of all.....Strength and Blessings. To the family, stay strong, love many fold, the West Family......

Dear Barb and Ron, Although I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Deron, all of his accomplishments at such a young age are truly remarkable. From everything I have read and heard he sounds like he was a fine son that is a direct result of good parenting. I can see why you are so proud of him. Please know that I am deeply saddened by your loss of him.

Deron,
You were a good friend when I knew you and it looks like you became a great man as you grew older. The work that you have been doing to help others is unbelievable and makes me feel like I should do more. I will always have the great memories of the time I got to spend with you.

My thoughts and prayers to the Thorp family for their loss.

Gregg, Jennifer, Ashleigh and Andrew McKenzie

Deron,
It was a pleasure to play football and basketball with you at Cupertino High. I will always remember your competitive spirit and leadership. My warmest wishes go out to your family and friends.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Thorp family.
Kevin, Kendell, & Hunter

Deron

One of the best men I have ever been around. I was a lucky man to have you in my life, and I will always think about our time together.

Deron,
I feel lucky to have known you, if only for a few short months. I could see the passion and energy you gave to the players that you coached. I remember thinking "If I only had a coach like that in high school...". What's better than that is I know you cared for your family even more. Thank you for being so easy to befriend. Know that my wife and I will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.

Coach Thorp ,
You have been a great inspiration on my and have changed my life in a way that i will never forgot. Working with you the whole summer was lots of fun and you changed me not just as a player , but as a person. Your organization has inspired me to do good and help others. The team and I will always remember you and you will always be in our hearts. Thank You for all that you have done.
The bigman ROP

Coach, you where this teams greatest inspiration and we would have never done what we did withouth you. Fired up forever because of you.
Your Hybrid-Nose Guard
Mike Keller #10

My deapest sympathy goes out to Deron’s family and friends.

I first met Deron was on the field in 1994 when his Nevada team came into Bronco stadium.
He was an imposing figure and a great player. Little did I know that would be the first of many battles in the trenches against Big Daddy.
We both ended up in New York for the 1997 season with the Jets. It was during that time that I had the pleasure of Deron’s acquaintance and
we got to know each other well over the next few years. He was a great man and a true professional.
Our battles continued in NFL Europe during the 1999 season, I played for Amsterdam and Deron was with Barcelona. I always looked forward to facing Deron because I knew it would bring out the best in me on the field. He was a staunch competitor and sportsman. News of Deron’s passing is tough to understand however one would have to think that God has important plans for Deron. Those plans must be big time like Deron’s heart and passion for the game he loved.

God Bless you Deron, I will always remember how lucky I am to have been touched by such a kind spirit such as yours.

Chris Wing

Big D

Because of you I would never been called into the principles office as much as I was.
Because of you I never would have stole so many door mats.
Because of you I never would have gone to that party to wind up in the emergency room and receiving a metal plate in my head. Something that will forever remind me of you

Because of you….. I never would of had a friend as great as you!!!

Words can not explain how much you will be missed. My heart goes out to the Thorp family for their loss. The memories you have left behind will last forever.

Joe, Holly and Isabella Romani

Deron well be missed by all and the great memories we had make you smile and cry.Our hearts and thoughts go out to his family.
Tom ,Missy and Trevor Dickerson

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

The Vest Family
Frank and Paula
Valerie Vest Elliott
Jill Vest

We would like to express our deepest condolences and prayers to the Thorp family. Deron was such a fun loving and caring person.

My fondest memories of Deron were:

The houseboat trip on the "Pelican".
Watching the Super Bowl at his place and finally seeing my Rams win the Super Bowl.
And of course the Spain trip to see him play for the Barcelona Dragons.

There were many more memories I have of Deron. But what I remember the most was his humor and being the "jolly giant".

Deron will be dearly missed, but we all know he will be with us in spirit.

Eric, Susan, and Sarah Armas

Deron shared in some of the happiest times of our lives. He leaves us with so many wonderful memories it is difficult to count them all. He will truly be missed, and we are holding his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.



Greg, Shalon, and Christopher Maudsley

My thoughts & prayers go out to Deron's family. I haven't seen him since high school but only have fond memories. God Bless.

May the love and support of family and friends comfort you all at this time. You are in our thoughts and prayers each day!
(Greg Bishop's parents)

Not only was he a wonderful son, brother, husband and father; he was everyone's friend. Whether he met you five minutes ago or five years ago, he always took the time to listen and get to know you. I don't remember Deron just for being unbelievably tall, good-looking, a pro athlete or a college star, or even as the most fun guy at every party---I remember Deron because of his outgoing, warm personality. He was kind and funny and he cared about people. He was a people magnet---one of those rare individuals that attract friends wherever he was. He also was a basketball playin', kareoke-lovin', beer drinkin', partyin' with the Prophet fool whom everyone adored. He was larger than life and will be missed greatly. My heart and prayers are with Gillian, Kiki, Nikki, Deron's mom, dad, brother and grandmother, as well as all his friends and extended family.
Kendra Duerst (the Prophet's Sis)

Deron,
I'm truly grateful that I had the opportunity to Know you and compete against you. Your persona was so huge!! You exuded life and the pursuit of happiness. I will never forget you. Your humanitarian endeavors (in which I have just recently became aware of) will serve as an inspiration for me for the rest of my life...Thank you.

Gillian, Kiara, Nikki and Deron's loving family,
Along with our son Matt and his family, we send our most heartfelt sympathy for this very tragic loss. We have wonderful memories of this gifted young man.

One cannot think of Thorp without smiling, his charisma was contagious. We send our heartfelt condolences to his entire family. He will be dearly missed and forever loved.

Deron

I loved playing basketball with you man. Everytime you stepped in the gym I knew it was going to be a war, pushing your big body around. I remember the first time I saw you step into the gym, I remember thinking, I sure hope he's a nice guy or I'm going to be in big trouble! You turned out being nicer and a better soul then I could have ever imagined! My only regret is I wish I would have gotten to know you better. I am going to miss you Big Country!!!!

The tears are really flowing now, I can barely see the computer screen, I will keep in touch with your good friend Jared and help out in any way I can. Till we meet again.

A basketball friend

Mike V

I will forever remember my cousin Deron as a brilliant and shining light ~ an inspiration to me as a youth and throughout my life and pursuit for a football scholarship. Throughout my college career Deron was listed as my favorite athlete, but I will remember him more as a loving husband, father, son and friend to so many... My thoughts and prayers are with his immediate and extended family, as well as the numerous other lives Deron touched. May he rest in peace.

Deron was always making us laugh. He will be missed.

Our most heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your... dear Deron
he touched the hearts of so many and will forever live in your lives.

Gillian, Kiara, Nikki and extended Family,

I am so sorry and distraught to hear of your loss. I am praying for you and the family to get through this terrible tragedy. God Bless you all and I love you.

Maggie & Darcy

Deron will be missed in more ways than can be counted. I have so many memories of him that keep flooding my mind every day and they make me laugh and smile. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to Deron's family in this difficult time. Big man...we miss you.

Brad, Denise, and Layla Evans