Derek worked for the United States Postal Service for over 30 years prior to retiring and moving to Kentucky for several years and ultimately moving back to Phoenix.
Derek earned a degree in Business and truly enjoyed learning new things. He really enjoyed music, camping and his family and friends. He was an avid history buff and voracious reader. He enjoyed traveling to anywhere he could, to learn about different places in and outside of Arizona. Derek was always making new friends along the way. He never met a person he couldn't start a conversation with.
Derek is survived by his sister Dedra Topham, brother David Purdy, nieces and nephews Sean Jernigan, Jayleena Jernigan, Jeremy Jernigan, Trina Walters, Tabitha Topham, Wesley Topham, Dale Lance Purdy, and Nathanial, Darbie and Aristotal Purdy as well as great nieces & nephews and his beloved dogs Max & Sophia.
In addition to his parents his sister Dale Jernigan preceded him in death.
Derek was a generous and gentle soul and will be deeply missed.
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