Albert Leldon Derden

On Sunday morning, September 1, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with an acute onset of health issues, Albert Leldon Derden, 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep and took his final step into the arms of Jesus.
Albert was born in Marlin, Texas, on December 3, 1939, to Albert Leldon, Sr. and Frances Derden. He graduated from McCallum High School in Austin, Texas in 1959. Albert was a natural athlete who excelled in both baseball and football. While playing quarterback for the McCallum Knights football team, he simultaneously held the highest batting average in the state of Texas. He went on to graduate with an Engineering degree from the University of Texas in Austin in 1963. Following graduation, he completed his Army Reserves Basic Training before beginning a life-long career with Texaco, Inc.
Albert met his wife of 58 years, Patsy Lyle Derden, at the University of Texas and they were married in 1964. Throughout his career with Texaco, they called many places home, including Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Houston, Texas, as well as Tulsa, Oklahoma, White Plains, New York, Orlando, Florida, and Los Angeles, California. They made dear, life-long friends in each. After his retirement from Texaco, the couple settled on their peaceful waterfront property on Lake Conroe, where they lived for 22 years before Patsy's passing in 2022.
Patsy and Albert had two children, Albert Christopher (Chris) Derden and Laura Elizabeth Hargrove. Chris and his wife, Melaney, live in Houston and have two sons, Lyle (24) and William (22), both of whom graduated from the University of Texas, along with Lyle's wife, Olivia Yee Derden (24). Laura and her husband, Jeff, live in the Woodlands, Texas, and have two children, Fisher (23) who is a graduate of Baylor University, and Adeline (19) who is a sophomore at Baylor. Fisher is married to Lucy Farnum Hargrove (23).
Albert and Patsy's (AKA Boogie & GG) home on Lake Conroe was a special gathering place for family and friends, but it was especially sacred for the grandkids who spent most of their summers on the lake tubing, swimming, fishing, going on late night frog hunts, and savoring Boogie's cooking, especially his fish fries and famous "Boogie Breakfasts." This continued up to their last gathering at the lake on the 4th of July this year. The grandkids regularly brought huge groups of friends from high school and college to spend weekends at the lake, where Boogie made his Boogie Breakfast for all of them. He was truly a legend to his grandkids and their friends, and he and Patsy were a beautiful example of what it means to be "hands on" grandparents.
A second and equally as beautiful chapter began in Albert's life after the passing of his beloved Patsy. Patsy and Albert shared a long-time friendship with Pat and Jackie Riley. Pat and Patsy passed away within a year of each and were dearly missed by Jackie and Albert. Though as couples they had spent many years together, the Lord allowed an independent friendship to develop between Albert and Jackie that grew into a deep and sincere love. On May 4, 2024, Albert and Jackie were married in a beautiful ceremony in Jackie's home surrounded by family, who celebrated with them. Regardless of the brevity of their marriage, both Jackie and Albert became and will forever be endeared members of both the Riley and Derden families.
Albert's passions and talents were many and diverse. He could repair almost anything, especially if it would save him a dime, and could cook anything from Christmas Rum Cake to homemade Hushpuppies. He met weekly with a men's neighborhood coffee group, attended a weekly men's bible study, sang in his church choir and LOVED to watch Baylor Football. To know Albert is to know his love (and propensity) to impart pearls of wisdom, especially with his grandkids in the hot tub or on the back porch looking across a firepit to a beautiful Lake Conroe sunset. Most importantly, he was a man of deep faith. He served in countless ways during his 30+ years at Northwest Bible Church in Spring, Texas, and was a gifted Bible teacher in his Sunday School classes at both First Methodist Church of Conroe and United Methodist Church Montgomery.
He had the privilege of officiating Fisher and Lucy's wedding just over a month ago, where he and Jackie tore up the dance floor to the famous tune of "Boot Scootin' Boogie" whilst everyone in the room shouted "Boogie! Boogie!" It was a beautiful picture of how he lived life so fully with no complaints. His words of wisdom on faith, life and marriage will echo in our hearts until we one day see him again.
What a glorious day that will be!
A service celebrating Albert's life will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 3:00pm at First Methodist Conroe, 4308 SH-105 W., Conroe, Texas 77304. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to either "Bridging For Tomorrow" www.bridgingfortomorrow.org/givenow; or
Northwest Bible Church "Faith For the Future" Fund
Online: http://nwbc.org/giving
Or by check payable to:
Northwest Bible Church
5503 Fellowship Lane
Spring, TX 77379
Memo line: FFF/Albert Derden