Name: Visitation for Derek R. Orozco
Start: 2016-03-03T01:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-03-03T04:00:00.000Z
Location: Yarington's/White Center Funeral Home

Derek R. Orozco

Age 46, passed away Tuesday, February 23, 2016; He is survived by his loving parents, Denny ""Danny"" and Hilda ""Lani"" Orozco.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 2, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Yarington's; Funeral Service will be at 12:30pm Thurs., March 3 at St. Thomas. Condolences may be sent to www.yaringtons.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Feb. 28, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Derek Orozco

Sponsored by The Family.

46 Entries

John Emond

February 24, 2017

I just Googled him in hopes of finding Tak. I had no idea. We use to hang out a bit when we were in high school. His Dad and I won a very small basketball league championship together. I looked Derek up a few years later, and we golfed together a few times. I was impressed. He beat me once. I am sad to know that he is no longer with us, but will never forget him and all the of the great times that we spent together.

Jennifer C

May 2, 2016

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Sue Lo

March 24, 2016

Hilda and Denny, I'm so sorry for the passing of Derek. My deepest sympathy to you. He was such a nice and knowledgeable person to work with. May he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Linda Van de Ven

March 22, 2016

So sorry to hear your sad news. You were the most loving and proud parents and raised a remarkable son. May you find peace in your memories.

Carol Takayoshi-Galvagno

March 20, 2016

I am so saddened by your loss of Derek.I always thought of Derek as the Angel in the room with his big beautiful eyes and his bright smile. He had an angelic aura about him.
He was always the sweetest, kindest and most compassionate person I have ever met. I am so grateful for the friendship he shared with my son, Todd. The entire Takayoshi family will miss him.
You need to know that he was well-loved and respected. If there is any consolation to your sorrow, please remember that you were wonderful parents who raised an exceptional son.
My prayers are with you.

Dave Munro

March 13, 2016

Hilda and Danny,
So sorry for your loss. Derek was such a kind, gentle, caring, and good person. I so enjoyed working with him - Hilda, he was like you - always willing to take the time to help me solve a problem. And talking sports with him was the best - he knew everything about everything. He personified aloha and will be deeply missed.

March 8, 2016

My heart is sad for your loss Danny and Hilda. I only heard of this very sad news today. I am deeply sorry for the pain you are suffering from the loss of your son. I never met Derek but feel as though I knew him through you, Danny. You spoke of him many times and always with such great pride. My sympathy to your family.
Eileen Dodd (Auburn, WA)

Russ & Jackie Schell

March 7, 2016

Danny and Lani,
We are saddened to hear of the your loss of your beloved son, Derek. We remember Spring Training with your family.
He is with Jesus now and living in eternal happiness.

Cheryle Fukuma

March 5, 2016

I am so sad about the tragic loss of Derek. I enjoyed working with him, he was such a kind person. I always went to him for my bowl picks and enjoyed him so much. I remember when I told him that I was starting to golf and hated being a beginner he told me to just relax and enjoy the game and being with people. He told me that he used to focus too much on his game and now he just wanted to enjoy the scenery and being out with people and the camaraderie and I will never forget that . That he was so kind, well mannered, smart and fun is a great tribute to his parents. I will miss him and my prayers are with your family.

Fred Little

March 4, 2016

I'm very saddened by the passing of such a kind and gentle friend. Whether at his desk, lunch time in the cafeteria, or on the golf course-- where I saw him last, Derek was always the same. Count me as one of the many that have benefited from crossing paths with Derek. As we all grieve for his loss, I'm comforted by the grace of God and the peace that He brings.

Carla Smith

March 4, 2016

Hilda and Danny, Derek was the sweetest, kindest person ever! He was a friend to us all and had a quiet way to make all feel important and valued. I am so sorry for your loss. I will say a prayer of thanks for having known him and a prayer that you find solace in that Derek was very loved.

Brenda Fitch

March 4, 2016

Danny Hilda I am sorry for your loss. I loved Derek's smile and his quiet since of humor he will surely be missed. I want to put my arms around both of you. I will kleep you in my prayers

Magda Ruiz-Viera

March 4, 2016

Hey Danny and Hilda/family
I am so sorry for the lost of your son at such an early age. My heart goes out to you guys. I will keep you guys in my prayers. May God keep you and your family in good spirits. I know it hurts like crazy, wish I could say or do something to help with the pain. Love Magda/God Bless you and your family

Berhe Tesfay

March 3, 2016

we are so sorry for your loss you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers
we here for you if you need anything so let us know. Please accept our sympathy.

Berhe and Zewdi inludes our children Delina, Ermyas and Fanuel

Mohammad Hammad

March 3, 2016

So sorry to hear of Derek's passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy to you and your family at this sad time. Even though I only knew Derek for a short time playing golf; he left big impression on me as a gentle soul, humble and kind. I am blessed to call him a friend and he will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace god bless.

Garry Benner

March 3, 2016

Danny, Hilda, accept my deepest sympathies for your sudden loss. May God be with you as parents and all of us as we say good bye and celebrate the many years we were blessed to spend with Derek. Danny, after meeting you last night at the viewing, I think you were right, Derek should of went into Coaching. I think he has, we just didn't realize God would be calling him home to Coach the Huskies from the press box in the sky! God Bless

March 3, 2016

Danny, Hilda, wishing I could ease the pain you feel,

Jane Burnham, Reno, NV

March 3, 2016

I am so saddened by your loss, Danny. I can't even imagine your pain and I am praying for you and your family. If he was anything like his father he must have a really great guy. Jane and I share your grief.
Nick Jones and Jane Wykoff-Jones (Tucson, AZ)

Larry Holmes Jr.

March 3, 2016

Friend Derek, D-Rey, Big D, you have touched, graced, and blessed so many lives.
You will be missed, loved, and remembered always by all.
With every thought of you, an endless smile is engraved upon us.

Jim Schreiber

March 2, 2016

Denny, so sorry to hear about Derek. I know you loved him very much as I remember you always talking about him. God be with you and your family.

Allan Peach

March 2, 2016

This is still sinking in. I have known Derek for well over 15 years. We met at work and soon thereafter were attending games and golfing together. Derek would have loved this week, a Husky home game on Wed, and the state basketball tournament later this week, He always took Friday off to attend the tournament. This year would have been special as I believe Kennedy is playing.

Derek was the most relaxed guy I knew. I don't think I ever saw him raise his voice at anyone or anything---with the possible exception of yelling at a referee for some bonehead call. Going to a game with Derek was almost intimidating. I think I am fairly knowledgeable about basketball, but to hear Derek talk during and after the game.... he would point out plays and nuances of the game that had escaped me. His attention to detail went so far that he knew many of the PAC 12 referees by name, and their personal traits. I would ask him who were the night's refs to get his take on what kind of game to expect. He was a wealth of information. While at work, I always made it a point to take a break during the day and pay him a visit. The day was somehow not complete until I could get his take on some issue or event, and as I read from another contributor, his response was always thoughtful and reasoned.

My heartfelt condolences to Hilda and Denny. I feel blessed to have known Derek for all these years.

March 2, 2016

Danny, can"t find the words to express my sympathies for you as parents. We are praying for God to help you get thru the hardest time in your lives We are sorry we never met your Derek, but he sounds like a wonderful great son. Rosie Yzaguirre Wright

Denise Yoakum-Reeder

March 2, 2016

I have been trying to find the words to express the loss of such a wonderful person - I can't. I will miss Derek's smile, his warmth and his entire being. Hilda and Danny my heart is so sad for your loss and I pray you find the strength from each other and those that love you to get through this. Derek is watching over you and will always be with you.

Bill Banks

March 2, 2016

I too was saddened, and surprised, to hear that Derek had passed. I only knew him from talking to him at basketball games, both the Huskies (of course) and at the Seattle U games of past years, but always looked forward to seeing him. I particularly liked that he almost always was accompanied by his dad or mom. Dad and Mom, I'll be thinking of you at future games. You are in my prayers.

Travis Geving

March 2, 2016

I am saddened to hear the news of Derek's passing. I have many memories growing up with Derek on the basketball court and baseball diamond. HYRA Gold, Drury Rents, Orioles! You always wanted Derek on your team because of his quiet leadership and humility.

30 years later, I still remember the walk off homerun he hit in the championship game for the Orioles at Moshier Field. CLUTCH!

A great man and a great teammate.

Joe Black

March 2, 2016

Hilda and Denny, my heartfelt sympathy on the passing of you're son Derek. It was a pleasure and honor to work with him. He never hesitated to provide his expertise and guidance, regardless of how busy he was..... Very special man who will be missed by all ...

Mike Kunst

March 1, 2016

We meet so many people in our life that come and go yet some can leave an indelible mark because of who they are. Derek is one of those people and I consider myself fortunate to call him a friend. Our paths drifted apart after childhood and high school but I have so many fun memories tied to him while growing up. The countless hours of basketball, tennis, hanging around with Tak, cruising in the Firebird, Alki, movies all just good fun. Seeing Derek and catching up was like putting on your favorite pair of Nike's it just felt good. How could you not love the guy? His warm easy going demeanor, that awesome sense of humor with perfect timing, competitive athletic spirit, very smart with encyclopedia like knowledge of sports, a kind heart and that contagious laugh (one of the best!). I looked forward to running into him at Husky games or other events. I used to message him to see if he would be there. He will always be missed but never forgotten. My heart goes out to his parents Denny and Hilda. You raised an amazing son and we are blessed to have him in our lives.

March 1, 2016

Danny and Lani,

We are so sorry for your loss.

Dick Jones and Lois Bourgeois Jones

Terry Yamashita

March 1, 2016

I only met Derek a couple of times through his dad, Danny, who I've know and worked with for over 40 years. You could see how proud Danny was of his son every time his name was brought up by the gleam in his eyes.
My thoughts and prayers are with Danny and Lani for a lose no parent should have to go through.

Miles Otoupal

March 1, 2016

My deepest sympathy to Danny and Lani for the loss of Derek. He was truly a special person. I remember him kicking off for the Lancers, many of his kicks weren't returned because he kicked the football so far. Derek was a terrific role model for our sons --Vince, Abe &Alex. Seems like Derek always had a welcome smile for all of us...Miles Otoupal

March 1, 2016

Denny, my deepest sympathy go out to you and your wife and family on the loss of your son. All the messages show you raised an exceptional man that added so much love to the lives of those he met. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Lynn Lane

Gary LaBrie

February 29, 2016

I first met Derek several years ago through a mutual friend, Mike Higa, at appropriately enough, a Husky Recruiting Banquet. We became friends at first based on our passion for Husky athletics but then because I realized what a fantastic person he was. We tailgated before all Husky home football games and we met at a certain spot in Hec-Ed after every basketball game. I told George Decker and Al Peach that our meeting spot will now be called "Derek's Corner". Derek and I also shared a passion for Husky baseball and enjoyed watching several games at the new Husky Ballpark. My heart goes out to Denny and Hilda for their loss. The LaBrie and McNear families have lost a true friend.

Ken Schoeni

February 29, 2016

It was a pleasure to work with you Derek. Always the calm in the storm. I will miss being able to talk sports or sci-fi the morning after or at the lunch table. Godspeed.

David Matthews

February 29, 2016

I had the good fortune to work with Derek at Boeing for many years. We became friends quickly and he amazed me with his knowledge of just about everything. A trivia master, Derek knew every single high school mascot in the state. We tried to stump him with some obscure school on a daily basis but always failed. It wasn't long before people would go out of their way to ask Derek his opinion, especially about Husky football or basketball.
Derek would have excelled at any job and he certainly did at Boeing. He was an expert regarding our business systems and took on the tough tasks much like his mother. Thank you Hilda for bringing Derek to us.
Joe Martin, Derek and I would shoot the basketball or throw the football around during lunch on nice days. Derek usually won when we played horse but was very humble about it. I remember he would imitate NBA players at the free throw line, the ones with odd styles like Karl Malone, Jason Kidd or Larry Johnson. The funny thing was he could make the shot, when Joe or I tried it was like how did you do that?
We would golf occasionally and one time at Eagle's Talon on the 7th hole Derek tee'd off and just barely caught a piece of the ball, it only went a few feet....so he shrugged his shoulders and walked up to the ball. His second shot was still from the tee box and it went right into the cup. I said you get a mulligan but he didn't take credit for it so I started calling it a hole in two.
Derek always made the day better with his wit and intellect, we will miss him.

Diane Good

February 29, 2016

We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Derek. Dave worked with him and said he was a terrific guy and great golfer. He loved golf. I remember Hilda and loved working with her over the years. I know how much you loved your family. Our love to you. Dave and Diane Good

Carolyn Jahnke Wiemals

February 29, 2016

It was a blessing to have known Derek. His easy smile is what I'll always remember most about him. He truly was one of the good guys.

Tim OBrien

February 29, 2016

Was privileged to call Derek a friend.

Derek was a true gentle soul, and when I heard the news, 1st thing that I thought of was how one of the truly nice people was taken too early.

Over the years since high school, we would reconnect, and never took more than a sentence to get right back to the halls of Kennedy High School.

Saw him at a Husky football game a while back, and will miss searching for him couple of sections over when the Huskies score.

He joined us for our annual golf trip when it was in NC couple of years ago, and was great to break bread and swap stories with him there as well.

I will miss our time together, GO DAWGS

Mark Ward

February 28, 2016

I didn't want to leave a long message here, but I'm hoping that the happy memories will bring comfort to people. I'm a couple years older than Derek but I've known him since grade school. We grew up in the same neighborhood.
Basketball was kind of the neighborhood pastime, but we did all kinds of stuff. We tried golf with plastic balls in my parents' yard. Derek was the only one who actually knew how to play golf. I remember Derek lip-syncing the Grease soundtrack and doing a good Gene Simmons impression.
I also remember Derek hitting a wiffle ball over the hedge in Soto's back yard, then re-enacting Reggie Jackson's commercial for the Reggie candy bar: Reggie, the candy bar they named after me. Everyone was entertained by that.
I realize now that I made a lot of friends through Derek. I guess if Derek gave you the thumbs up, that's a pretty good reference.
About 12years ago, I convinced Derek to play basketball on a team in the Boeing rec league. One time our team was ahead by a couple points down the stretch. Knowing that our opponents would foul, we fed Derek 4 straight inbounds passes and I think he was disappointed that he only went 7 for 8. There are a lot of NBA players who would love to shoot that kind of percentage! Then again, when you've shot thousands of 1-and-1 free throws at the playground with the imaginary NBA championship at stake, knocking down a few in a rec league game is no big thing.
My wife asked me one day Have you ever noticed that your friend, Derek, wears a different pair of basketball shoes every game? I actually hadn't noticed until she mentioned it!
I remember a conversation I had with Derek around that time. He was encouraging me to try golfing with him and a teammate (actually one of my coworkers who, of course, immediately took a liking to Derek way more than he ever liked me). I answered critically: Golf? I'll take up golf when I can't play hoops anymore! After a short awkward pause, Derek looks over at me and says: Well, I hope you have a set of clubs handy. I've seen your last couple games. We both laughed! I repeat that story all the time because it's so true and so funny.
Before The Super Bowl, a reporter asked Peyton Manning if it were his last game how he'd like to be remembered. Manning said something along the lines of wanting his coaches to respect him and to be remembered as a good teammate. Derek has that and more. His teammates, coaches, friends, coworkers, even opponents and acquaintances all respected and loved him. It's a huge loss for all of us.

Debbie Driver

February 28, 2016

I first met Derek as a Sophomore at JFK High School. Back then I was shy and insecure. As a member of the drill team we were given the name of a football player and were supposed to decorate his locker on game day as a gesture of good luck. I was assigned Derek. I had no idea who he was and was really nervous about the whole thing. But, when Derek was told I was the one who decorated his locker every Friday (and sometimes dropped off homemade cookies), he was sincerely grateful and appreciative. From then on he was always kind to me. Fast forward 10 years and I started dating Rich, a good friend of Derek's. Since then I have been so lucky to know Derek through Rich and all the stories he shared about their adventures. Derek has been a part of our lives for many years and losing him is so tough. Derek is the one friend who has sent us a Christmas card every single year. He was a friend who impacted my life and Rich's life in very real and lasting ways. Please know you will be missed Derek and my heart goes out to Derek's parents.

Larry and Carlee Taylor

February 28, 2016

Sorry to hear of Derek's passing. He had such a kind soul.

February 28, 2016

My greatest sympathy to his parents. No parent should have to bury their child. I will pray for all of you.

Dick Hoyt

February 28, 2016

I did not know Derek personally, but through his father Danny, I felt that I knew this fine man for many years. May God bless Derek, and the family.

Melanie Kelsey

February 27, 2016

He was always an all around nice guy. He will be missed immensely.

Mike Kord

February 27, 2016

This is definitely a before-and-after moment in my life. Derek was simply one of my favorite people on the planet. This is how people refer to him: a nice guy, genuine, so smart, knowledgeable about so many things, level-headed, funny as hell, super kind. Derek, in his quiet, sincere way always cared about others, too. Here's an example. Back in high school, he always gave people rides home. One day he gave David Nokes a ride home and a car came speeding out of nowhere toward them. Derek slammed on the brakes, yelled Watch out, Dave!, and thenlike a parent looking out for his kidput his arm out in front of Dave to protect him.
About seven years ago, my son Ben and I sat with Derek at the UW fall inter-squad game. I left the stands briefly and told Ben, who was then 7 years old, to listen to Uncle Derek. As I was making my way back, Ben had started walking away from his seat. I saw Derek tracking him the whole way, taking his focus away from the team he loved so much to make sure Ben didn't wander off too far. Even a simple thing like that, Derek took it seriously because he cared.
One of my favorite things to do was to make Derek laugh. I always looked forward to getting together with him, Todd, and others, but I couldn't wait to tell Derek about the funny observations I'd made since we'd last talked, stuff I knew Derek would get. I also liked asking him questions. You knew you'd get a thoughtful answer, a perspective you hadn't thought of. Heartfelt, yet free of useless emotion. My senior English thesis was a story about Derek. As a journalism student in college, I would often rely on Derek when I needed a man-on-the-street quote for an article.
Make no mistake Derek was no perfect schoolboy. You couldn't hang out with the likes of Todd, Larry, Rich, Robert, Mark, Stefan and me without having a beer or two and an endless supply of laughs at some really horrible humor, often at someone's expense. He was more than one of the guys. He was the favorite guy.
Derek and I became friends faster than you could say hello or what's up? We met as 9th-graders at Kennedy, but knew who each other was from playing CYO basketball: Derek at Our Lady of Lourdes, I at Holy Rosary. We later joked about how we had an unspoken bond because we were the only kids in the league who had to wear our own shorts because we were too big to fit into the team-issued ones. He was intimidating. Sure he was big, but I'll never forget how intense he was. Yet he never, ever played dirty.
We played baseball together at Kennedy, and he took it easy on me the one year I played football. Derek didn't need to use all of his power to beat you; the cerebral aspect of sports was more interesting to him. The use of good footwork as a pass-blocker, or working the count as a middle-of-the-lineup hitter. Yet he was immensely powerful. In our early 20s, we played in a pickup game of tackle football at Lincoln Park. One guy, Dave McFarland, a really big dude, was running with the ball toward Derek, who almost apologetically held on to Dave and just sort of waited for him to tire out before gently putting him on the ground. It figured that Dave and Derek would go on to become good friends.
I can't stop thinking of all the ways the guy impacted my life. The way I watch football is based on how Derek watched it: always analyzing the action away from the ball. He knew so much about music, all genres, I swear. From Nirvana, to Public Enemy, to Marley. Derek could really talk about anything. Last summer he made a super convincing argument for why La Liga is better than the Premier League. He loved golf, basketball, trivia, and self-deprecatingly referred to himself as a wealth of useless knowledge. But I interpreted that as a humble guy's way of saying I know what the hell I'm talking about. He once even told me how he liked the use of the semicolon! (Note: That's why I used one in the previous paragraph. Derek, a grammarian? Who knew?) More recently we talked about and laughed over TV shows like Better Call Saul, and Silicon Valley. And I keep thinking of the things I want to talk to him about as if he were still here. I'll never entirely get over this. And I'm cool with that because the sadness reminds me of all the great memories I had with a great guy.
I can't finish this without saying thank you to his parents Hilda and Denny for giving me and all of us the gift of Derek. You guided him, you let him be him. What resulted was a life filled with numerous and varied friendships with people who truly loved Derek. I hope I gave Derek a fraction of the joy, insight, and laughter I got from my friendship with him.

Saori Takayoshi

February 27, 2016

I cannot find sufficient words to articulate how deeply saddened not just for my family but for the world. The universe lost some of it's shine when we lost Derek. My kids will dearly miss their Uncle D. His amazing sense of humor paired with the most melodious laugh was only one of the things that made Derek so charismatic. His love for the Huskies, and even the Tar Heels was felt deeply. He had exquisite taste in vehicles and always had the best kicks around. His golf skills matched his gentlemanly demeanor. I cannot recall hearing Derek complain about a thing or say a bad word about anyone. We were so lucky to know Derek as to know him is to love him. He coached Tommy's baseball team and never once lost his patience with a group of 12 year old boys - trust that it says a lot about his character! Where there is deep love there is deep grief. He was our best man and one of the best men we will ever know. Many prayers for the repose of his soul and that Mr. And Mrs. O feel our love. They raised such an exceptional man that is so well loved by us and will be so missed. Many thoughts of peace and strength through your journey and may you find comfort in the many great memories. I offer our deepest condolences and are going to do the best we can to deserve to have the honor of having such a great man in our lives. Go Dawgs!

Jay Tando Mike Kord Derek Orozco Nicholas Jenkins at the Kennedy High Class of 87's 25-Year Reunion 8/11/2012

Jay Tando

February 27, 2016

I'd like to take a moment to write a few words about my Kennedy high school Class of '87 buddy Derek Orozco. I just now learned that he recently passed away and I am in shock. Way too young. Any age is too young - but 47 is just too young. Derek was always nice to me - just a real friendly guy. So humble. Long after we graduated if I was in town and I reached out to him to meet up and hang out - he did. One memory from our Junior Year 1985 was driving with him in his wicked cool car and talking about our football game coming up that night and he was stoked to be starting at Tackle. I cannot believe he is gone.
Bless you, Derek.
Jay Tando

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