I tried to pick one of the many memories that Derrick and I had to share, but I finally decided to choose one that didn't happen, but should have. This last summer I had plans to propose to Derrick. We had gotten over a rough patch and we were in a good place and had recommitted to each other and in my heart, it felt right. I told my sister and my friend Delaram and asked their advice on his ring, asked if it was too untraditional to ask, etc. As neither of us have a ring in our finger, I obviously chickened out. But I did write the words back in July that I planned to say. I don't want to leave them unspoken so I've decided to share them now and perhaps pay tribute to the years that will never be lived together. The first bit is to his family. 

"I just wanted to thank you all for welcoming me in, for being so kind and loving, even when I didn't deserve it. You all are the perfect example of a family who cares deeply for each other and loves unconditionally. After getting to know you all over the last few years, I can see where Derrick gets all his best traits from. And...I'm hoping to one day become an official member of your family. 

Derrick, I am so in love with you. You have the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met. You are smart and funny, just an amazing human being. I don't want to imagine my life without you in it, next to me, supporting and loving me. I love the life we are building together. I love traveling with you, eating great food, sometimes powering through bad food, binge watching Netflix. I want to spend the rest of my life cherishing you, making you feel wanted and needed. You are my favorite person and I need you in my life because you are my life. Will you please do me the honor of spending the rest of our days together?"

Looking back at the five years we spent together, I'm so grateful for the laughs and all the ways he made my life brighter. Love you babe.

Derrick and I met in Brooklyn and relocated to Columbus 22 yrs ago and have been inseparable ever since.  Leaving behind a lot of my family in NY was difficult but Derrick became my new brother and my best friend. 

He’s the one that would always bring us together.  All of his friends instantly became MY friends. HIS family became MY family.

Bet, Mel, Mer, He was incredibly proud of you all and always spoke about you with great affection.  I’m glad I got to know you all through the years and your parents as well.  Your mom was the best.

Brandi, I know how much he loved you.   In the way you joked and smiled at each other I could see that you were meant to be together.

Derrick and I worked together side by side for years and he helped me with his wisdom and kindness daily.  Derrick would stop by my desk and give me the signal, whistle with a head nod.. “Smoke Break”.  I don’t smoke by the way…  we’d sit in his car and have a therapy session.  Sometimes just griping, sometimes serious and usually hilarious.  I’d go back to work feeling reset, with anxiety gone and knowing that he’s got my back.  It feels good to have Derrick in your corner.

He was always planning a get together, parties, BBQs, countless Super Bowls at his place, a road trip, boys trip, a night out.  Lisa would sometimes ask “what were you guys doing till 2am?”.  The truth is that we were just sitting at a table talking.  Derrick was holding court.  You didn’t want it to end.

Derrick showed me that life could be FUN.  Through hard times, stressful times, ALL the time, he’d have me laughing.  It’s funny that we could be professional and dependable and still act like 15 yr olds.  

We all need to keep Derrick in our hearts and remember to do what he what do.  

Remember to be more like HIM. 

Stay connected to family and friends.  Reach out, bring people together.  Let’s not take for granted the LOVE we all know because of Derrick.

Thank you all so much for being here as we mourn our loss and celebrate Derrick's life.

It's been impossible accepting that he's no longer with us as we all hold Derrick so dearly but it fills my heart seeing so many familiar faces who were a part of his life and for receiving such an outpouring of love since his passing. 

My first memories of life were also of Derrick. I remember the both of us clinging to our mother. No matter where she was or what she was doing. We were constantly competing with one another for all of her attention. I could never and would never win these contests with him. Even as an adult my mother would say to me, and I quote, "I love you the most #2" My sisters knew and I eventually accepted that Derrick would always be #1 in her heart. 

Throughout my childhood Derrick seemed to always be right beside me. Time or distance would never change this as he was always there for me, no matter what, for the rest of his life.

Some people here might be surprised to know how quiet and shy Derrick was as a child. He was so sweet, curious and gentle, rarely crying or fussing. He seemingly was always just patiently waiting for you to come smile, laugh and play with him.

As more of you became part of Derrick's life, his time and experiences with you all shaped much of who he grew up to be. His demeanor of a shy, quiet, kid quickly developed into a giant personality, with a tremendous heart full of joy, humor and love.

Derrick had a deep sense of himself and understood what really mattered in his life. Nothing petty would ever keep him from giving his all to his family and friends. He treated everyone with kindness and respect, always going out of his way to make everyone feel special and included.

Derrick was also fiercely protective of his loved ones. He was a constant presence in our lives and would do everything he could to ease any troubles we might be going through. It never seemed like anything was too big for him to shoulder if you were ever in need. He was the most caring and generous person anyone of us could have had in their life.

After my mother and father passed away, I never imagined my family would ever have to endure such heartache and sadness again.

To remain close to them, I often took comfort in finding my parents qualities and personalities within my siblings. Derrick was by far the best of them and the best of us.

During my family's most difficult times, Derrick was always present, selfless, and supportive. He provided us all strength to keep us steady and bonded as a family.

Words cannot convey the immense love and admiration I have for Derrick. I am just so proud of the kind of person he was and the beautiful life he led.

I was really so blessed to have had him as my brother.

I truly believe Derrick had a deeper understanding of how much laughter could heal the soul. One of his best and most endearing qualities was his incredible sense of humor. There was nothing quite like it. The way he could effortlessly lift our spirits to make us all smile and laugh the way he did was such a special gift. 

Derrick would hate for us to carry on too long with tears and heavy hearts. He would want his lasting memory to be of all the joy and laughter he brought to our lives. Let's cherish those times and forever remember Derrick in that light.

I've been friends with Derrick for over 25 years.  We basically grew up together in New York.  We started our careers together.  He was my best man at my wedding and my best friend for most of my life. He was my brother.  I can't think of a single instance where there was ever a rift between us.

We all know Derrick, his easy going and fun loving personality, always trying to make people happy and feel comfortable, and I couldn't help thinking of the great person that we lost.  

But then I realized that everything that I thought we lost is really everything that we gained from Derrick, everything he has given to me. 

So instead I want to mention what I have gained from Derrick.
- Love
- Friendship
- Laughter
- Caring
- Support
- Empathy
- Someone to lean on, who listened and who gave sound advice
- Dedication
- Honesty
- Loyalty
- Wittiness
- Compassion
- Courage
- Kindness
- Non Judgmental and Openness 
- Integrity
- Patience
- Confidence
- Dependability
- Generosity
- Humor
- Positivity
- Trustworthiness
- Reliability
- Respect 
- Accountability
- Perseverance
- Gratitude

These are just some of the gifts that Derrick has given to me through the years and I'm sure he has given to all of you as well.  

Derrick will always be remembered, but he will never be just a memory.
His gifts have become part of me,....... part of us.
And as part of us, he will always live on.

I'm so incredibly sad to hear of Derrick’s passing. Derrick's kind and gentle soul was apparent the first time I met him, always radiating warmth and a smile on his face. 

My heart goes out to Brandi and Derrick's family. Please know that you are in my thoughts, wishing you peace in the days ahead.

My deepest condolences, Elissa Yoder

It’s still hard to accept that I have lost a true lifetime friend/brother from my extended family.  He was a truly kind sole and friend to everyone that got the pleasure to know him.  His laughter and sense of humor and friendship will truly be missed.  He was my best man and irreplaceable brother.

The St. Clairsville Class of 1994 will forever miss Derrick but treasure our memories made with him. We are heartbroken and grieving along with each of his family members, close friends and all who had the privilege to know him. Many of us shared lasting memories spending weekends at the Reyes home, the spa or building Homecoming floats in their garage. Derrick was a friend to all. Sweet, kind, warm and welcoming. His laugh was contagious, he was funny and always had a calm, gentle spirit. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

We met Derek for the first time at Ramon's and my niece Priya,'s wedding in England and Derek was like a family and mixed with all the family ,he was so jolly,kind ,friendly and gracious person ,we were all so privileged to meet Derek .
     The picture above was the second time we met him last year in Ohio and like I said he was such a good person that he came to visit us .we are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend.  Derek was such a special person, and the memories we shared will always be cherished. You will be deeply missed, and our thoughts are with your family during this difficult time. God bless his soul.May your Soul Find Eternal Peace.

Such fun memories with your larger than life personality. We love you so much.

We met Derek for the 1st time at Ramon's and priya's wedding, Omg  he was such a hit with all my family, he connected with all of us straight away.  My whole family loved him very much.  He still is the talk of the wedding,  he was so friendly, generous and a happy soul.  He made such an effort to make Ramon's wedding special that he found shops where they sold traditional Indian wedding outfits and bought a best man's outfit & he looked fantastic in it,  he wore it so well as a 1st timer.  He was so happy to be at the wedding.  It was by the grace of God that we were so privileged to have met Derek, he was part of the family.  

He made an effort to come see us every time we visited Ramon, we will miss this wonderful, happiest & generous soul. May god always bless him and give strength to the family during this sad time. We love you Derek and you will  be immensely missed & always be in our hearts and prayers.

Shanti Bapodra

We met Derek for the 1st time at Ramon's and priya's wedding, OMG he was such a hit with all my family, he connected with all of us straight away.  My whole family loved him very much. He made such effort that he alone found the shops to buy a traditional Indian outfit as he was Ramon's best man, he  went out his way to make this wedding special, we will always be grateful to God for bringing such beautiful soul in our lives and it was an honour to have met him, he was part of the family. 
He always made an effort to come see us every time we visited Ramon, we will miss this wonderful, happiest & generous soul. May god always bless him and give strength to the family during this sad time. We love you Derek and you will  be immensely missed & always be in our hearts and prayers.

Shanti Bapodra

My wife and I met Derrick through a friend at an event at the Columbus Zoo. Immediately we were drawn in by how kind and giving Derrick was. And funny too. It felt like we were meeting a friend we had known all of our lives. He had a way to make anyone feel comfortable and accepted into his friend base. I feel like we lost a part of the very best of us all.  We love you Derrick.

Having known Brandi for 15 years, I’ve come to love her like a way younger sister, sometimes like a daughter,  always like family.  When Derrick came into her life I witnessed a calm come over her like I’d never seen before. I watched her blossom into her being in a meriad of ways that are all due to Derrick’s love and sweet presence.  The two of them spending time with us was always easy and fulfilling. Derrick was easy to talk to, to laugh with, and to have affection for. I also was privileged enough to spend time with his siblings whom also had that same fun loving way about them…each one of them characters indeed. My husband and I  have been thinking about him a lot wishing for more time…more time for us…more time for Brandi and his family.
 Gone to soon. 💔
Rest easy to our friend.
Sending healing and warm energy to all those affected by the loss of his easy spirit.

Derrick was the most loving, loveable person , and he will be terribly missed by everyone touched by his beautiful heart.  Kathy Paleudis

Derrick, It was such a shock to hear of your passing :( You were a brilliantly kind soul, with a huge heart and a warm smile. We were fortunate to have gotten to know you. We will miss you greatly and hope that wherever you are, you are happy.

With condolences, Elline and Tharindu

Meeting up in Encinitas with the cousins Mel & Derrick.

We will miss you so much, cousin.  Wish we had the chance to celebrate life with you again from our get togethers.  May you rest in peace in God's warm embrace. ❤️

When we vacationed at your place  in wheeling and St.  Clairsville on the farm and the spa. Those were the best momments of our childhood. I miss you cousin I hope you will see Edwin in heaven and your mom and dad. Love your cousin Erick.

So very sorry to hear about the passing of Derrick, such a wonderful peaceful and humble guy whose laugh was infectious and warming. My deep respect and condolences to his family. 

lig do spiorad saor in aisce i síocháin.

Sean Drugan

OBITUARY

Derrick D. Reyes

22 June, 1976 – 7 February, 2025

Schoedinger Dublin

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