Leslie A. Derrick, Jr.
Leslie A. Derrick, Jr., secure in his faith, passed away on Friday, July 17, 2015, surrounded by his wife and children.
Born on May 4, 1944 in Houston, Texas to Lura Morene and Leslie A. Derrick, Sr., Les grew up in South Houston and moved to Glenbrook Valley. He attended Hartman Middle School and Milby High School where he was named to The Sporting News 1961 National High School All-American Football Team as a quarterback. He and his younger brother Phil were a part of the ’61 team that reached the state quarterfinals. On Sept. 16 of that year, Phil caught three touchdown passes from his brother against Bellaire. Les accepted a scholarship to The University of Texas at Austin during his senior year.
Les was known for his ability to play several positions at Texas. He was the quarterback for the freshman team, was part of the 1963 National Championship team, earned his first start as a running back and defensive back in ’64, led the Southwest Conference in yards per catch as a wing back in ’65, and broke the record for most interceptions in the Bluebonnet Bowl (3) as a defensive back in ’66. His teammates voted Les the Longhorn Club Sportsmanship Award at the finish of his senior year.
On July 31, 1965, Les married Susan Conine. They lived in Austin until ’67, and moved to San Antonio where Les worked as a salesman for IBM. They moved to Houston in ’73, when Les went into business with his father. He remained active in the water business for forty years until his passing. Les became a pastor in ’83 at Living Way Church, where he served for 23 years. After his retirement, he was instrumental in mentoring and advising people in their walk with the Lord. He and Susan did a church service once a month at Pt. Rehab for many years. For the last six years, Les and Susan have been members of Living Word Church of the Bay Area in Seabrook, Texas. Les served as head of the Welcoming Committee and was a Board Member at his passing.
Les was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Brad Derrick.
Les is survived by his best friend and wife of almost 50 years, Susan and their five children: Tracy and husband Mark Kubena and their children, Tyler, Brooks, Paige and Morgan; Danya; Leslie A. Derrick III and his children, Anthony, Dylan, Kyan, and Gavin; Amanda and husband Jason Morse and their children, Austin, Faith, Braeden, and Jordan; Caleb and wife Sarah and their children, Peyton, Gracie, and Colton. He is also survived by his brother Phil and his wife Betty; his nephews Gill and wife Rosalind, Bobby and wife Ghada, and Roy; his nieces Julie Derrick, Louise Duble, Bonnie Shelton and husband Tommy, and Stacey and husband Steve. He is also survived by many other relatives and cherished friends.
There will be a memorial service at Living Word Church of the Bay Area on August 9, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Please make donations in lieu of flowers to Lackey Ministries, LoveBotswana.org, or Worldwide Voice in Wilderness (prison ministry).
I not only remember his laugh and joyful heart, but his long chats about God and life we had together. He was my second dad during those High School and College years. He meant so much to me and he helped shape me into the Godly man i am today. He will be missed, may His legacy live on in all that He touched and his children and grandchildren. Les was truly a man after God’s own heart!
My heart and prayers go out to you Susan, Tracy, Danya, Trey, Mandy and Caleb. God Bless you!
Les was great friend and a wonderful team-mate! Proud to call him a true friend for most all of our adult life and for sure beyond! BB
Susan and family,
So very sorry to hear about Les.. He was a very good friend of mine starting when we started at UT together!! Many happy memories!!!
James Brooks (Bear)
Susan and family,
I remember Les as one of my favorite team-mates at UT and a true friend afterward. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Tom Stockton
I was on the UT football team from 1970-1973, so I was a few years behind Les. But around football is not where we met. I was an environmental engineer involved in design and construction administration of water and wastewater treatment plants in the greater Houston area. Many of these plants required chlorination systems for disinfection, and Les worked for several companies that provided and installed these systems. We worked on many of these projects together, and we got to know each other well.
Les was a honest, hard-working man with a wonderful, warm personality that was infectious. That big laugh was special. We shared our walks with the Lord, and built up a trust that lasted for many years.
This world is better because the Lord chose to create and use Les Derrick in very many special ways.
Susan and family: so sorry for your loss. Les was beloved by so many. We are so thankful for your family’s love and leadership over us. We are who we are today because of Les’ love and care for us over the years.
Kathy and Brad Wigtil
Susan, I am sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you. Les was a good man, a dedicated Christian and a wonderful father and husband. I am honored that Les was my friend. May grace and peace be with you and your family at this sad time.
Howard Goad
I had the good fortune work for Les and have him and Les Sr. in my life. They were two of the most important influences / role models in my life. Les Jr. opened up a vision of the world and perspective I had not been exposed to nor could see before knowing him. Best wishes for hi family.
To The Derrick Family,
I want to express my sincere condolences on your loss. I cannot tell you how sad I was to hear of Les’s death. We did not run together in school but when you are in the trenches with someone, there is a bonding that does not ever go away. I first met Les when I was a senior in high school. It was the start of football and we had a scrimmage with Milby and Brazosport. I was from Bay City and we thought we were good as we were undefeated the previous year but did not make the playoffs. How times have changed. Anyway we took care of Brazosport but Les and Milby was another story. After scrimmage our coach told us now we know what football is all about. Les and his gang ran all over us for about 7 or 8 touchdowns. He did not let me forget it when he came to Texas. I was so glad when I found out he was coming to Texas so we didn’t have to play against him. I was never the best passer but Les made me look good. I would just throw in his direction and he would come up with the ball. When I would see him at reunions he would cup his hands and we would reminisce about the throwback pass to him. He had a great personality. Always upbeat with a smile on his face. Of course, it was maybe because he was dating one of the prettiest girls on campus, Susan. I know he is smiling down on you now with those cupped hands waiting to catch you upon your arrival.
Best Wishes,
Marvin Kristynik
marvin.kristynik@gmail.com
Susan, I am so sorry to hear about Les I know by keeping in touch with Caleb and Phillip you all fought a good fight. Please know of my heartfelt concern and deep sympathy for you and your Family.
Les was a good friend and no matter what kind of day you were having when he stepped into the room you could hear him laughing and the concerns of the day
just didn’t seem as important as anticipating what was coming next threw that big smile.
We love you all and pray that God will comfort your heart and strengthen your faith now and in the days to follow.
Charles Holman
Hebrews 12
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Les was my wonderful pastor during the 6 years I lived in Clear Lake City and was part of Living Way! Susan, my heart aches for you and all the family, for I know you will miss him terribly! Just reading all the names of the family members blesses me, for I know he passed on a tremendous heritage to them in the Lord! How I pray that what he, and you, Susan, and all the Living Way family, shared with me will be reflected in the lives of my descendents as well!!!!
Dear Susan and Family,
I am writing to you from Botswana. It is with great sadness that I learned of the loss of Pastor Les. To me he will always be a Pastor! However, the thought of his graduation to Heaven brings great joy!
I remember being a brand new Christian at the age of 14 and I found myself in your living room, surrounded by like people of my new found passion for Jesus. Your family welcomed me, my zeal and heart for the world from that time. Years passed when I was in youth ministry and I found support from Pastor Les in the way of long visits, guidance and advice for my journey. Not long after, the Call of God on my life to Africa became a reality and I found myself married to a wonderful man with the same calling and passion for the Lord. From that time, you and Pastor Les and the church family allowed us to be a part of your missions support. Many years passed with faithful, monthly support.
Heaven, I am sure by now, has revealed to Pastor Les all that we have been able to do with what has been invested into Love Botswana! I believe that we got to do the “fun part” and “GO”. And that all of the support through giving, prayers and rich relationships is the real stuff of life. Every gift represents long hours of blood, sweat and tears from those who give. We do not take it lightly. In those early years on the mission field, the most valued thing we found was the relationships that God gave us. The genuine love and concern from the heart of this Pastor and you, Susan, his wife, were so dear.
From the time we came to Africa up to now, 28 years later, we have seen so much happen that I wish you could come see for yourself how important those foundational years were to us. We have:
-An International Christian School for 420 children
-Churches all over the North of Botswana
-A Bible School that has produced pastors in those areas and leaders throughout the country
-A Rescue Center, Orphanage for abandoned babies
-Youth programs in all the schools in our area to promote abstinence and curb the tide of HIV/Aids, with over 80,000 youth reached.
-Community outreach projects reaching families and individuals on a daily basis
-A Community Youth Center that houses many more programs for youth through, Media, Creative Arts, Sports, Teen Club, Education projects and more.
This is what you all have been a part of all these years, both as Pastors and as a family. I wish I could be there in person, and I know there are many people there who were a part of our lives and still are. Please receive my love through their hugs and tears.
Thank you from all the lives we have been privileged to touch through your love and giving. We look forward to the day “when the roll is called up Yonder” and I’ll be there!
With Much Love, Jana Lackey
Les officiated at the 1985 burial of our son Daniel Michael (1971-1985) and the celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary in 1986 at Living Way Church, Webster. We greatly appreciated his tender and loving kindness toward our family.
I did not know him personally as we only had one class together but he was friendly to everyone and that season of 1961 he was a major part of one of the best football teams that Milby ever produced. He was not arrogant and as far as I know never got into any trouble at school. In the fall of 1961, everyone on campus was proud to say they went to Milby and his performance on the football field was a major reason for the pride we felt. He also excelled in basketball and track.
Southwest Conference football was not widely televised at the time he played for Texas but I remember a game against Arkansas that he started and I was proud to be able to say that he was a Milby graduate.
Les was my first Friday night hero at the age of 13 when he led Milby to the quarter finals in 1961. Considered the best team in Milby history.
Les was my first HS football hero at the tender age of 13.Watching him take charge on the field was a marvel to watch. Rest easy Les .
Today, I stumbled upon a Bible belonging to my own father, Victor Williams, whom I lost in 2014. In the front of the Bible, he had written the following:
“I’d like to give thanks to Les Derrick of Housotn, TX. whom was kind enough to present me with such a wonderful gift. May God bless him.”
Although I do not know the specific details of how they knew one another, it brings me tears of joy to know that these two men of faith are together with our Lord and Savior. What a testimony!
God bless you and keep you.