John Luther Derrick

The Rev. John L. Derrick died on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at Bridgewater Retirement Community with his wife Jeannette by his side.
John was born in Woodstock on March 25, 1929, and was the son of Rev. John P. and Agnes Derrick. On August 27, 1964 he married Carol Martin in Wilkes Barre PA, who preceded him in death on September 17, 1995. He married Lois Figgatt on November 28, 1998, in Harrisonburg, who preceded him in death on October 31, 2011. He married Jeannette Williams on March 26, 2017, who survives him, and whom he met while at Fairfax High School and married 60 years later after their spouses had died.
Also surviving are three sons and their families: John and his wife Marci of Fort Lauderdale FL, grandson Scott, his wife Megan and great granddaughter Charlotte and grandson Austin; David and his wife Kelly of Roanoke, grandsons Tyler, Drew and Reece; and Paul and his wife Kati of Harrisonburg, granddaughter Anna Carol and grandson Eli. Also surviving is a niece Debi Austin of Williamsburg.
Pastor Derrick graduated from Woodstock High School in 1947; Roanoke College in 1951; Officer Candidate School in Newport RI, US Navy in 1952, and Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1960.
His leadership abilities began when his scoutmaster asked him to be a senior patrol leader of Troop 20. While at Roanoke College he was selected as a member of the Blue Key Honor Society and in his senior year at Lutheran Theological Seminary was president of the student body. He was President of the Association of Churches in Wilkes Barre, Durham NC and Harrisonburg.
As a newly commissioned officer, he served on the destroyer USS Daly for three years and sailed around the world for nine months in order to be part of the Seventh Fleet during the Korean War. During this time of duty, the ship made twenty ports of call throughout the world including sailing through the Panama and Suez canals. After being discharged as a Lt. JG, he was a teacher at Harrisonburg High School in 1955-56 and at Fairfax High School in 1957-58.
After graduation from seminary in 1960, he served as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wilkes Barre PA and then at Christ Lutheran Church in Durham NC from 1966-1976. He served as pastor of Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg from 1976 until 1991. Thereafter he was called as a mission developer to serve the joint Lutheran, Episcopal and Presbyterian denomination Trinity Ecumenical Church in Smith Mountain Lake until retiring in 1993. Upon retiring he continued to live in Harrisonburg and over five years served as pulpit supply in forty different Lutheran churches throughout the Shenandoah Valley until 2010.
A memorial service will be at Muhlenberg in January 2026 with visitation following the service. Private burial will be in the family plot at Massanutten Cemetery, Woodstock.
Memorial contributions can be made in John's name to Muhlenberg Lutheran Church, 281 E Market St, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
Pastor Derrick leaves a legacy of leadership, love and care for his family and parishioners, and a faithful servant of God.