Thomas A. Derr

Thomas A. Derr, perhaps the hardest working man in West Lawn, died Thursday, September 18, 2025, from catastrophic injuries sustained from an accident while driving home for dinner, a task he did routinely for decades.

Affectionately known as Tommy and "Boogie", he was owner of West Lawn Beverage which he, along with his parents, Leroy (the original Boogie Derr) and Viola Elizabeth (Hagan), founded in October of 1951. Had he lived one more year he would have witnessed a 75-year legacy of serving generations of families, ultimately sharing in their special occasions by supplying malt beverages, sodas, and snacks, and guiding them through the celebration process throwing in a few jokes and his famous roasted peanuts made on premise.

Tommy was a staple in the West Lawn Community. He was born April 18, 1931 at the home of his parents at 115 Telford Ave., West Lawn, and graduated from Wilson High School in 1948.

Tommy married Dolores A. Bryson of West Reading and together they raised four precocious sons, first in West Wyomissing and then on a farm in Spring Township: Michael T., Spring Township; David R. and wife Dawn Maurer, Reinholds; Richard M. and wife Donna Daniels, Mohnton; John D. and wife Gretchen Sautner, Springmont.

Perhaps Tommy's greatest joys, aside from the kick he got out of infinite story-telling and self-taught piano lessons, was being blessed with three strong-willed granddaughters: Alexa, Berks Container Recovery and mother of Tommy's only great grandchild, Addison; Sarah, West Lawn Beverage; and Sophie of Norfolk, Va.

He was predeceased by his brother, Richard, Spring Township, whose former wife Lynne, and their children, Christine and Darren are Tommy's only other surviving relatives.

Tommy and sons David and Richard made headlines in 1987 when they initiated curbside recycling throughout Berks County in the township of West Lawn and the boroughs of West Reading, Sinking Spring, St. Lawrence, Wernersville and Kutztown. They also maintained recycling drop-off centers in the boroughs of Fleetwood, Mohnton and Whitfield, and the townships of Exeter and Hereford.

West Lawn Beverage was the first beverage retail distributor in Pennsylvania to establish a buyback center for recycling of glass and aluminum cans. This effort led to the founding of Berks Container Recovery in 1993, a Spring Township recycling center of non-ferrous metals.

Tommy was a farmer at heart and an advocate for business. He first raised steer and in 1979 he and Dorsey founded Dreisigacker Farm, a hog feeder-to-finish operation that is currently the only hog operation in Spring Township, where he also raises chickens that customers race to WLB to get their eggs. He has been a director of the Malt Beverage Distributors Association since 1990, as well as a member of the Suburban Investment Club and Owl Sports Club Inc.

While operating the beverage business, where he was infamous for giving out free Tootsie Rolls to generations of children who accompanied their parents, Tommy advocated relentlessly for distributors to be able to sell 6 and 12-packs in addition to cases and kegs. He also was part owner of the Washing Well Laundry in West Lawn from 1962 to 1990.

Having reached the ripe age of 94, still working seven days a week and checking the hogs and chickens before and after work, Tommy was no stranger to hard work and hardship. From 1950 to 1966 he was a member of the 904th Field Artillery Battalion, 79th Infantry Division USAR, attaining rank of First Lieutenant.

He was quite proud to organize, with his family and close friends, an annual golf tournament since 1995 to support Cystic Fibrosis, Junior Achievement, and Easter Seals Society.

Tommy's hearty laugh was infectious and his ability to laugh at most anything, including his prosthetic eye, will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Owl Sports Club Inc., 2324 Monroe Ave., West Wyomissing, Pa 19610 or the Malt Beverage Distributors Association, mbdapa.org.

Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. Stay tuned with the beverage store's social media channels for a "Toast to Tommy" in October to celebrate his legacy and 74 years in business.

Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.