Jeffery Lynn Derrick

Jeffery Lynn Derrick, 67, lost his life in the line of duty on Friday, February 27th, 2026, near Blodgett, as a member of the Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department in Titus County, Texas.

Jeff is preceded in death by his parents, Lt. Col. William Derrick and Martha (Grainer) Derrick; his Aunt Sibyl Nickel; his Aunt Dorothy "Do" Baker; his brother, William "Bill" Derrick; and his in-laws, Ken and Anne Solcher. Jeff is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughter, Jennifer (Brad) Underwood; his sons, Douglas (Aimée) Derrick and Marc (Whitney) Derrick; his grandchildren, Anthony, Hailey, and Mak Underwood; and Connor (Trina Salas) McRynolds-Derrick, Landen Rain, Asher Derrick, and Leo Derrick. He has one great-grandchild, Tobias McReynolds. He is also survived by his siblings, Patricia "Pat" Gifford and Barbara (Jim) Brinkmann, and his in-laws, Laura (Brent) Bussell, Sally (Dave) Dyess, and Tom (Mary) Solcher. Jeff also has 15 beloved nieces and nephews.

Jeff was born in Bethesda, Maryland, at Andrews Air Force Base, the youngest of four children. As a military family, they relocated often, ultimately moving to Tucson, Arizona, in 1962. His mother passed away when Jeff was 4, and then his father when Jeff was 10 years old. Jeff's eldest aunt, Sibyl Nickel, raised him and his sister, Barbara. Jeff graduated from Palo Verde High School, Tucson, in 1976 and then from the University of Arizona in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration. Jeff married his first wife in 1979, and they had three children. In 1999, after an 18-month cross-country courtship, Jeff married the love of his life, Susan (Solcher) Derrick. Jeff's 33-year career as an International Contracts Manager with Hughes Aircraft Company, later Raytheon Technologies, took him around the world to Scandinavia, Western Europe, Korea, and the Middle East. Jeff earned the designation as Certified Federal Contracts Managers through the National Contracts Management Association (NCMA). Jeff and Susan have lived in Dallas/Fort Worth for over 25 years, except for 1 year in the Boston area when Jeff headed the Contracts Leadership Development Program from Raytheon Headquarters in Waltham, MA.

In high school, Jeff was a member of the Fife and Drum Corps, a letterman on the long-distance Track Team, nicknamed "Bulldozer", and a leader on the Debate Team. Jeff continued his passion for running and completed the L.A. Marathon in 1994. Throughout his life, Jeff coached numerous soccer and baseball teams for his kids and nephews. His Aunt Sibyl taught him trout and bass fishing, a passion that fueled him throughout his life. Jeff was a member of the Arizona chapter of Bass Anglers Sportsman's Society (B.A.S.S.), the Old Pueblo Bass Anglers Club of Tucson, and the Denver Bass Masters. Jeff loved the outdoors, camping, hunting, and fishing with his kids, family, and friends throughout Arizona, Utah, California, and Texas. Jeff was a natural team builder, leader, and mentor in all aspects of his life.

Jeff's passion for bass fishing grew exponentially when he moved to Texas in 1999. He served as President for the Outcasts DFW Bass Club for almost 20 years. He fished Texas to New Hampshire, Saugatuck, Lake Michigan, and Lake of the Ozarks, as well as Arizona, up to California and Oregon. He took a Fishing Trip of a Lifetime (4 times!) to El Salto & Picacho lakes in Mexico; the most recent was last November with Jennifer, Doug, and Marc. He taught his grandchildren, great-nephews, and friends how to fish. He became a Boat Captain on the Windsbrow High School Fishing Team and was so proud of those young anglers and the adults they are learning to become.

More recently, Jeff became a firefighter with the Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department in Titus County, Texas. He was eager to learn from his fellow Firefighters, dedicating himself to becoming a hard-working and supportive member that his Team could count on. He was proud to serve and give back to his community.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 21st, at the Bates-Cooper-Sloan Funeral Home, 2805 S Jefferson Ave., Mt. Pleasant, TX 75455. **Please wear your favorite fishing shirt, University of Arizona gear, or one of Jeff's favorite colors, red and black.** Following the service, there will be a First Responder Processional across the FM 21 bridge on Lake Bob Sandlin to the Blodgett Church of Christ community center for a celebration of life. Please join us to share your favorite stories with Jeff.

Donations can be made to either the Tri-Lakes Volunteer Firefighter Department (PO Box 405, Mt Pleasant, TX 75455) or the Winnsboro High School Fishing Team (c/o Terry Hayley, 2327 FM 3019, Winnsboro, TX 75494).

An online registry is now available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome.com