Gary Derr

You’ve never met a man like Gary Alan Derr, and you’ll sadly never get the chance again. He had to leave us April 13, 2023.

Born May 27, 1956 to Sara Lott Derr and Chester Derr in Columbus, GA. Gary spent his youth doing what he loved most enjoying nature at “The Creek” and being adored by women, mainly his doting mother and aunts until meeting the love of his life, Claire Patnaude Derr. The universe in its connectivity introduced them through a shared love of reading(1973) and then later reconnected them at Nickel’s Alley on August 20, 1976. Claire asked him to dance, he asked to finish a foosball game. Gary must have known once he agreed to that dance that his life would be forever altered by the universe’s second attempt at joining the two. Though maybe he was playing hard to get? Maybe he was a bit cocky? He had an amazing aura of confidence that never alienated but drew people to him. If his self assurance didn’t compel you, his sense of humor would draw you in. He was insightful and absurd and clever. He was fun! He literally got Carver High School’s Class of 1974 to release THOUSANDS OF CRICKETS one morning as a senior prank.

Anyway, once Gary and Claire started “sparking”, it wasn’t too long before they married (May 1, 1982). They tested their parenting skills with the cats Claire would bring home and a few years later had their first daughter, Sarah Elizabeth “Missy” Derr. Missy gave them a run for their money and it only took five more years before they tried their luck again with the birth of their second daughter, Abigail Claire Derr. While Gary had always hoped to raise a son, specifically a left handed pitcher, it never stopped him from teaching his daughters everything he thought was important to learn about: music, fishing, fast cars, trash talking, people, and of course about baseball. Both girls took after Claire, beautiful and smart but less than coordinated. When receiving the compliment of his daughters’ beauty, he’d say they look just like him minus the mustache. The man had a flair for facial hair. The baseball lessons and anything athletically directed were widely wasted endeavors. Neither learned to drive a stick shift either, a true disappointment to a man who loved BMW and Porsche.

Career wise, it only made sense that this magnet for people was one hell of a salesman. No need for “the Glengarry” leads, it was Gary Derr closing. If you bought a house in the 80s and 90s, Gary probably sold it to you. Now both of his daughters are now REALTORs. If you bought a car in the early to mid 2000s, Gary DEFINITELY sold it. He was the example used to train other car salespeople. He was that good. It is to be noted, that while he was incredible at sales, he was no “sleazy used car salesman” type. He was ethical. He was kind. He understood his clients were making heavy financial decisions and wanted people to be given a fair shake. He particularly advocated for his clients who were nurses or teachers as he truly believed these people should be taken care of. Claire was a teacher, so an understandable amount of respect was fostered and Gary recognized the power of nurses through the care of his wife and his eventual own.

Caregivers and caregiving was an integral part of Gary’s life. He showed his love through food. When Claire was once very sick, he cooked religiously for her nurses. He cooked enthusiastically for his family and his daughters’ friends. The man could cook and he did not adhere to recipes. He’d read tons of recipes, compile what he liked best and create something amazing. (He made many friends across the US from Allrecipes.com. They’d even all meet up across the country!) Abby was a true sous chef to Gary and will carry on his culinary creations, or at least Claire and Missy hope so. Those two can’t cook.

Caregiving, we’re still stuck here: Thank you to all of his nurses and doctors.

Gary was strong. He was larger than life. He was hardheaded. Daddy got cancer. Quit smoking right now. He fought bravely for over two years. It’s hard to properly convey how hard he fought. You’ll never understand the courage the human spirit can embody until you watch a loved one battle a cancer that means to rob you of everything. Tell your people you love them. And, in the words of the best Dad and Husband, Gary Derr, “TURN OFF THE LIGHTS, WATCH YOUR HEAD, AND CLOSE THE DAMN DOOR”!!!

A private memorial will be held at a later date.