Harold Dean Derryberry, 79, passed away suddenly on the morning of Saturday, April 4, on what would have been the 79th birthday of his beloved wife, Susie, who we lost just over eight years ago.
Dean, or “Tate”, the name he was lovingly called by his adoring family and many of his friends, was born on March 24, 1941 to Albert “Red” Derryberry and Ella Viena (Crotts) Derryberry in Baxter Springs, where he lived all his life.
He entered this world in a tiny house on the west side of town that had been converted from an old mining office and had no electricity or running water. Dean was born two months early weighing barely two pounds. The doctor that came to the house that day gave him slim to no chance of survival, but the Derryberrys are fighters, and his family came together and nursed him to health, nourishing him with goat’s milk and keeping him warm in a mere shoe box near the coal stove.
In spite of his size at birth, Tate grew to be a great man in so many ways. He was the epitome of perseverance, exuberance and true optimism, and was a leader in every sense of the word beginning as early as junior high. He was elected to the student council in junior high, selected for his leadership and character to represent BHS’s Boys’ State in 1958, and was president of the student council in 1959, his senior year. He was also co-captain of the Lions football team and president of the Letter Club, while working at Beck's Floral throughout.
In December 1958, Dean married his junior high school sweetheart and love of his life, Susie Williams, and they embarked on a journey that would last over fifty years. Dean and Susie brought three children into the world while Dean worked nights at Eagle Picher Industries in Joplin, MO and attended college at NEO A&M College in Miami, OK.
In 1966, Dean accepted a job at Yellow Freight Systems where he would rise through the ranks over the next thirty years and finally retire from in 1997. As one of the biggest employers in the area at that time and a major hub for Yellow, Dean met countless people through his work and developed long-lasting friendships near and far, and seemed to know just about everyone!
In his early 30's, Dean became very involved in his community, serving as President of the Lions Club in 1974, and as City Councilman from April 1974 until July 1997. On July 22, 1997, Dean became Mayor of Baxter Springs and served his beloved town until his term expired in April 2001. Dean loved people and, in recent years, enjoyed many an afternoon fellowshipping with his dear friends including JC and Jerald at the Joplin Elks Lodge #501, where he was an active member.
Dean was dedicated to and loved his community, but his true devotion belonged to his wife, Susie, his three children and three adoring grandchildren, Meleha, Alina and Alec. Dean was the quintessential husband, dad and grandpa and was adored not only in those roles, but as a best friend – one that you could count on for anything you needed, for interest in whatever was important to you, for a shoulder to cry on and always a hilarious comment that would make you laugh out loud. He was loved by all who knew him, and will be missed more than words can say.
Dean was preceded in death by his loving wife Victoria Susan “Susie” Derryberry; his son Michael Dean Derryberry; his parents Albert “Red” Derryberry and Ella Viena (Crotts) Derryberry; and, his brother, Albert Joe Derryberry.
He is survived by his sisters, Barbara Derryberry Rice and Madge Derryberry Clogston, Joplin, MO; sister-in-law, Nancy Irwin Derryberry, Coffeyville, KS; daughter Lesli Ann Derryberry and son-in-law Saifi Ahmad, Karachi, Pakistan; daughter Diane Elizabeth Derryberry, Dallas, TX; as well as the three grandchildren who he adored, Meleha Ahmad, Baltimore, MD; Alina Ahmad, Brooklyn, NY; and, Alec Ortega, Dallas, TX.
A private graveside service was held on Wednesday, April 8th at Baxter Springs Cemetery. A much-deserved farewell and celebration of Dean’s life will be held with all of his dear friends and loving family in the coming months. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.
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