Floyd Allen Derrick

Floyd Allen Derrick, 94, died February 1, 2010.
A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 4, at Polk Street United Methodist Chapel, with Rev. Kevin Deckard officiating. A Private family burial was held at Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 South Georgia.

Floyd Allen Derrick was born November 22, 1915, in Clarendon, to Henry Jerome “Rome” Derrick and Ruth Ann Hastings Derrick. He was the fourth of six children: Margaret, Henry, Frank, Floyd, Mary and Pearl. Early childhood memories were riding a horse. His hero was his Dad, which explains why he became a cowboy working throughout the Panhandle and Northern New Mexico. A life he and his favorite horse, Diego, loved. Whenever possible, the cowboys would come to Amarillo for a Saturday of R & R and dancing, mostly at the Old Tascosa Ballroom in the Herring hotel. One special lady, Miss Annie Mae Curtis, proved to be his favorite partner. After about three years she asked him if he ever intended to get married. The way he says it, he accepted her proposal. When asked recently if she became his new hero, he answered, “No! She “was” my life!!” Floyd Derrick’s patriotism was not lived only in the pride of his son but in his own love of his country. On February 2, 1942, he enlisted in the Army for World War II. He served in the Military Police in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and New Guinea. Being discharged January 10, 1946, as a sergeant, he received the American Theater Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, service stripe, and three over-seas service bars. You would always find Floyd proudly wearing his American Flag lapel pin. The move to the city meant Floyd would begin a 26 year job with the City of Amarillo, retiring as Field Superintendent for the Traffic Engineering Department. When he first began with the City, many of the dirt streets were being paved and required markings being painted by hand. His incredibly quick mind and some study opened a new opportunity. With the purchase of an automobile chassis, a drum for the paint, a generator to control the paint, some brushes and some welding he made a mobile paint machine and a new secondary profession emerged. It was at this point in his life he would later say the only thing he would change was, “Don’t push beyond your physical capabilities or you will pay for it in later life.” Even with all the years with the city and his own business he always referred to himself as “Just an ‘ole Cowboy.” Retirement brought opportunity for Ann and Floyd to travel. Wonderful trips both in the USA and abroad, his favorite being the South Pacific. His study before the trip challenged the tour guides. They still had time to enjoy dancing especially country western ranch dances. He was active in Polk Street United Methodist Church, a life time member of VFW Post 1475, Palo Duro Lodge 1239, Scottish Rite Mason, and at 91 years a Khiva Temple Shriner. As a widower he made many friends in the Widowed Persons Service Group, Senior Citizens, 45 Uppers Dance Club and the Amarillo Singles Dance Group. One day he was asked what he would like to be remembered for. His answer was simple – “Being Fair.”

Floyd Derrick considered himself a simple man who loved his Lord; his country; his family, his home and good home cooking like cornbread, beef and beans; and always washed and ironed his own shirts. He loved his siblings, sharing his brother Frank’s eulogy, his visit with Pearl on her end of life journey, and always the twinkle in their eyes as he and his sister Mary would meet. He was a loving father, good steward of his savings and all, that God provided, and always a humble and generous man. The very best a man can be!

Survivors include his son, Jerry Floyd Derrick and wife, Connie; his grandson, Shawn Derrick and wife, Jessica; his granddaughter, Tiffany Delage and husband, Ken; his eight great-grandchildren, Caleb, Isaac, Aaron, Ellie, Faith, Micah, Tate, and Ruth; and his sister, Mary Harlan of Clarendon, Texas.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Floyd Derrick Memorial Fund, in care of Amarillo National Bank, 3101 S. Georgia, Amarillo, TX 79109.