David Ronald Derrick

David was born in Dagenham, England, the oldest son of seven children in a traditional coal mining family. As a child he experienced the horrors of war on his doorstep as Hitler bombed London. His parents, Dorothy Hilda May and Ypres Ronald Derrick were forced to split the family and as eldest, David stayed with his father in the London area until his brothers and sisters could be moved to relative safety in the country. David passed successfully through the English school system finishing with Senior School and at 16 years of age, moved immediately into the work force of post war England. On October 10th, 1959 David married Mary Anne Clare Page and fathered three lovely children, daughter Lisa Mary and sons Ian David and Justin Edward.

David joined the military and served England in Malaysia and in Scotland as a member of the Scotch Guards. He worked several occupations including drafting and interior design and as a tile layer. On September 18, 1986 Mary and David divorced and David went on to open his own tiling, design and painting business. David formed many close relationships with a singles group and found a new life partner, Norma James.

David met G’Anne Bartow-Clark in 2002 in a Bridge Game room and they became bridge partners online for over 18 months. He came to America where they were married April 4, 2004. They had many happy adventures together as they settled in Oklahoma and went to work together with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity as volunteers. He thoroughly enjoyed working with other volunteers to build several of the neighbors’ homes. His hobbies included playing bridge, working with his hands on many kinds of building projects, reading and playing Scrabble with his American family.

David is survived by his wife G’Anne, his former partner, Norma, his former wife Mary Rodgers and her husband Joe Rodgers. He is also survived by his three children, Lisa Arthur, her husband John Arthur, and his sons Ian Derrick and Justin Derrick. He is also leaves behind his grandchildren Matthew Arthur, Stephen Arthur, Ellysse Derrick, Mitchell Derrick, and Grace Derrick. David is also survived by his sisters Margaret Fullwood and Sylvia Jean, and Ann Owens, and his brothers Raymond Derrick and John Derrick. He also has many nieces, nephews, and cousins who currently live in all places of the world.

In lieu of flowers, memorials or contributions may be made to Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity