Derrick Hamilton Bickham

Derrick was born to the proud parents Donald Bickham and Bessie Bickham on June 14, 1973, in Golden Valley, MN. Derrick was always kind, loving and full of energy, while growing up. One of Derrick's passions was running (boy was he fast). Derrick especially took advantage of it with his two older sisters Doris and Sylvia knowing that we could not catch him. Of course, he did not try this with his older brother Clyde (Cookie). Someone he truly looked up too, and who was everything to him. Derrick had a good relationship with his father and loved him dearly. His ride or die was his mother mama Bessie, she was everything to him.
At the age of 6 Derrick and mom moved back to Louisiana. Derrick really pursued his passion (running) by joining the football team for Benton at a young age. Once he entered high school Derrick (#24) joined Benton High School's football team where he really flourished. Derrick was voted most athletic, He was #1 running back for rushing, also leading in rushing in 1990. Derrick had a few articles written about him in the Benton newspaper for his accomplishments in football and we were truly proud of him.
Derrick went to Grambling University in 1991 after high school but decided to leave after 1992. Derrick then moved to Minneapolis, MN where his older siblings resided Clyde, Doris, and Sylvia. Where he started working. Soon after Martrese moved to Minnesota where he and Derrick enjoyed the single life for a while. Derrick eventually met Brenda Whitson and from that union they had a daughter MyKayla Bickham who was the apple of his eye and he loved very much.
Derrick's favorite past time was fishing and watching his beloved Cowboys. Derrick loved to tease his nephew Woody as Derrick was an avid Cowboy fan and Woody being an avid Viking fan those were some fun conversations.
Derrick was a person that was easy to love he was very special. Derrick was so genuine he always kept in touch with his friends & family members especially if he knew you were down and out he would call or visit you. Derrick always wanted to let you know he was wishing you well and making sure you knew he loved you as family and friends meant everything to him.
A little later in life Derrick met Penny Guzman-Mendez who was his soul mate. You didn't see one without the other they had a bond and a love that was everlasting. Penny was by Derrick's side taking care of him as they always did for one another until the end.
Proceeded him in death is his sister, Dorlanda Bickham and brother-in-law, Omar Lewis. Derrick is survived by his mother Bessie Bickham, Father Donald Bickham, siblings Clyde Rhodes Jr (brother), Doris Rhodes-McKinney (sister), Sylvia Rhodes-Lewis (sister) and Andrea Bickham of Atlanta, GA (sister), MyKayla Bickham (daughter), Carol Rhodes (sister in-law) Craig McKinney (family always) host of aunties, uncles, nieces and nephew's cousins and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 7th at 11:30AM at Washburn-McReavy Glen Haven Chapel, 5125 West Broadway Crystal, MN 55429. Visitation beginning at 11AM. Light refreshments to follow.