Dereld was born on December 4, 1949 in Ellsworth Kansas to Lloyd and Wilma (Steinle) Belk both of whom preceded him in death.
Dereld is survived by his wife, Sandra (Sandy) (Hardin) Belk of the home. He and Sandy were married on April 12, 1986 at the Capleville United Methodist Church in Capleville TN.
Dereld is also survived by: two sisters; Shiela (Gary) Brawner and Jolana (Rick) Collins, four children; Angela (Ricky) Fontenot, Ville Platte LA, Nicole (Carey) Montz, Ponchatoula LA, Lisa (Jim) Yarber, Barnsdall OK and Greg (Taryn) Donley, Bartlett TN.
Dereld was P-Pa (grandfather) to: Kirsten (Noah) Maslak, Briggs Fontenot, Houston (Hanah) Montz, Carly Montz, Ashley (Dalton) Shipley, Wesley Yaber, Savannah Donley, Dalton Donley, and Sophie Donley.
Dereld is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces and cousins whom he adored.
Dereld graduated from West Memphis High School and attended the University of Memphis.
Dereld was a member of the Covenant United Methodist Church and a Life Member of the Veterans of Foriegn Wars.
Dereld served his country in the Army during the Vietnam War from May 19, 1969 - March 20, 1971 at Camp Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. He earned the National Defense Services Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Overseas Service Bar.
Dereld was employed for 35 years as the Facility Manager for Elite Lamp Company in West Memphis AR, and later retired from Waste Solutions, Inc. of Memphis TN.
Dereld was an avid runner. He ran everything from 5k races to full marathons. He also participated in triathlons (swim, bike, run). He played the guitar in his younger years and was a member of the band “The Bits Of Wisdom” when he was in high school. The band had the opportunity to play on a televised talent show on a local TV station.
Dereld also enjoyed reading, and specifically enjoyed John Grisham novels. He had an extensive collection of signed first editions.
Dereld and Sandy loved to go to the Orpheum Theater. They were season ticket holders for many years. He also loved to go to the University of Memphis basketball games. He went to every game he could and cheered on his beloved Tigers.
The most important thing in Dereld’s life was his family. Being the best husband, father and step-father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle and P-pa was his greatest desire. A desire that, as his loved ones know, he fulfilled more than words can express.
Dereld loved the trips the family made to Destin FL when the grandkids were young. He was able to teach all of them to swim. He would watch the sunrise while on a morning run.
After the children had all left the home to go out on their own, Dereld and Sandy began to check places off of their “bucket list”, traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains, Savannah, GA, Charleston, NC, the Grand Tetons, Durango, CO, Yellowstone National Park, Las Vegas, NV, Golden, CO, Jackson Hole, WY, Atlanta, GA, Zion National Park, Hawaii and Puerta Villarta, Mexico.
Dereld also loved going to the Hardin farm and the house in Mountain Grove, nicknamed the “Little House”. The Little House became a center for gatherings and celebrations and helped the family grow closer. It also allowed more time to be around Sandy’s father, Ura. Ura became a surrogate father to Dereld after his dad passed and a strong bond was formed.
One of the more recent of the great memories made in the Little House was with Dereld’s Great Nephew, Weston. From the time Weston met Dereld, he seemed to have a connection which was extraordinary. If he was being fussy, he would calm when laid on Dereld’s chest. Later, when he was beginning to walk, Weston loved to throw the “blue ball” to P-pa and Dereld would throw it back to the delight of both of them and everyone else in the room. This would continue until both were worn out.
There will be a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00pm on Monday, December 27, 2021 at the Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Road, Bartlett, TN.
There will also be a visitation Craig-Hurt Funeral Home, 315 N. Main St., Mountain Grove, MO on December 29, 2021 at 1:00 with a family graveside service to follow at 2:00pm.
