Charles Derrick

Charles Harvey Derrick, 73, passed to his heavenly home on Saturday, June 14, 2014, in Houston. He succumbed to pneumonia after a long and successful battle with cancer. Visitation will be 6:00 -8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 17,2014 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Drive, Woodway, Texas 76712. The funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home with Bro. Billy Edwards and Bro. John Hogan officiating. Burial will follow at the cemetery in Mart, Texas.
Charles was born to Clarence and Minnie Mae Derrick on September 13, 1940. He
attended elementary school in Hallsburg, Texas and graduated high school in Riesel,
Texas. He married Linda Jane Riley of Mart, Texas on June 19, 1959. They had 55
wonderful years of marriage.
When they were first married, Charles was employed at Lone Star Gas Company in
Waco for five years as a meter reader. He then went to work for Clair Weller at Diesel Power Supply Co. and was employed there up to the time he entered the hospital in Houston on March 5, 2014. During these fifty years, Charles held several different positions, the last being a salesman for the company. His years as a salesman were some of his happiest, as he loved calling on clients and talking to people. He sometimes traveled, but never very far, as he never liked to be away from home at night.
When Charles was 18 years of age, he went to work for Harold McCain at the Heart 0' Texas Speedway. He did everything from parking cars to his final position as the announcer. He loved announcing and entertaining the crowd. After 50 plus years, Charles retired from his favorite form of entertainment. He also was a very devoted NASCAR racing fan and so looked forward to the races each weekend.
Charles was a devoted Dallas Cowboy fan. Even through the Cowboys' lean years, he was always the devoted fan and never gave up on them.
Charles was an active church member during his life. He was ordained as a Deacon in November 1969 at Park Memorial Baptist Church. For the last 19 years, he was a member of Brazos Meadows Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, usher, and Sunday school teacher of the Legacy Class.
Charles is survived by his wife, Linda Derrick of Woodway. Charles and Linda have three children, daughter, Beth Davis and husband, Eric of Hewitt, daughter, Evelyn Cervenka and husband, Randy of Waco, and son, Charles, Jr. and wife, Dawn of Lorena. He also is survived by his five beautiful granddaughters that he cherished and loved: Kaitlyn Cervenka, Kelsey Brooke Cervenka, Allyson Derrick, Lindsey Derrick and Sarah Derrick. He is also survived by his sister, Bonnie Sue Sandhoff, of Riesel; brother, Tommy Derrick and wife, Sue, of Waco; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.