Donald Derrick

Donald Hugh Derrick, 81, of Burton, Texas, formerly of Houston, Texas, died on Friday, May 4, 2018, at his home in Burton.

Donnie was born on February 9, 1937, in Monahans, Texas, to Hugh and Louise (Felder) Derrick. He was baptized as a teenager at First Christian Church in Burton, Texas, and was a long-time member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Burton, Texas.

Donnie was a 1955 graduate of Burton High School and received his AA from Blinn Jr. College in 1957. He went on to attend the University of Texas, receiving his BS in chemistry in 1959. He earned his MS in chemistry from the University of Houston in 1967. Donnie spent his first years out of college as a science teacher at Pasadena High School and then at South Houston High School. He later worked as an instructor at South Texas Junior College. He spent more than 30 years as a chemistry professor at the University of Houston, Downtown. Donnie was a proud member of the Texas Exes.

Donnie spent much of his life between Houston, where he worked, and his childhood home in Burton. For years, he drove his Aunt Lydia Broesche to Burton on the weekends, and after his father died, he was a devoted son and caregiver to his mother, Louise. Donnie was close to both sides of his extended family and never missed a family reunion. A lover of cards and dominoes, Donnie spent many hours around the card table playing “Screw Your Neighbor” and pitch with the Felders and “88” and “May I?” with the Derricks. Both sides of the family will testify that Donnie hated to lose. He liked to travel, he enjoyed taking drives along country roads in his red Cadillac, he enjoyed singing in choirs, he rarely missed a Friday lunch at his church and he particularly loved watching television.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Survivors include his first cousins: Bill (Rosemary) Derrick, Bill (Betty) Schwartz, Pauline (Erich) Jaster, Ray (Peggy) Felder, Thomas (Sandra) Paterson, Marlene (Billy) Haas and Nelson (Jane) Felder. He is also survived by dear friends Violet Janac, Joe Al Picone and Kenneth Schwenke, and his godchildren Julyne Derrick and Karl Felder.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 8 at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Burton. Gravesite services will immediately follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Burton. Pallbearers are Jason Derrick, Todd Felder, Tyson Felder, Karl Felder, Evan Peterson, Aubrey Jaster and Craig Schwartz.

Memorials may be made to the Burton ISD or to St. John’s UCC in Burton.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham, TX 77833.

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