Frank Derrick

Services were held here Wednesday for long-time Donley County rancher Frank Derrick. He was 87.

Derrick was born December 13, 1913, in Spur, Dickens County, and came to Donley County in 1915. His father worked for the RO Ranch, which later became the Lewis Ranch, for 65 years.

Derrick was raised on the Lewis Ranches and went to work there at the age of 17. After the death of W.J. Lewis in 1960 and his son’s death a year later, Frank became the general manager, a position he held during most of the Lewis era of the RO Ranch and until his retirement.

He was very community oriented and involved in many community projects throughout his life. He served as a staff sergeant in the US Army during World War II and was involved in the chemical warfare division. He was a recipient of the Texas Trail Blazer Award as an outstanding rancher in 1991. He was the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 1988, and he received a special recognition for his support of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department.

He was a member of the Texas Cattle Raisers Association and was a Methodist.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Henry Derrick, and a sister, Margaret.

He is survived by two sisters, Mary Harlan of Clarendon and Pearl Hermesmeyer of Clarendon; one brother, Floyd Derrick of Amarillo; and several nieces and nephews.

Services were 3 p.m. Wednesday, December 3, 2001, in the First United Methodist Church with Rev. James Ivey Edwards, pastor, and Bobby Boston and Lewis Gibbons, friends of Mr. Derrick, officiating. Burial was in Citizens Cemetery under arrangements by Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of Clarendon. Nephews of Mr. Derrick served as casket bearers.

The family requests that memorials be made to a favorite charity.