Derek Timothy Wilson

“Anything is possible.” That is what Derek Timothy Wilson believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. Derek thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Derek was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

Derek was born on December 17, 1978 at Chamberlain Memorial in Rockwood, Tennessee. His parents were Tim and Karon Wilson. Derek was raised in Spring City, Tennessee, Pensacola, Florida and Rickman, Tennessee. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, Derek could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Derek's family relationships. Derek was raised with one sibling. He had one sister, Summer. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Derek was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young boy, Derek was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. Derek took part in baseball and football. In his spare time he liked to collect baseball cards and ride his bike.

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, Derek enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Derek was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. He graduated from Livingston Academy in 1997. His favorite class in high school was baseball! The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Coach Dalton and Coach Swallows. He graduated 8th in his class despite going through Chemotheraphy treatments for cancer in 11th grade. He received the DAR Award and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Because he was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, Derek performed well in college. He was always on a quest for knowledge. Theories intrigued him, and he was good at solving complex problems. He earned his RN and BSN. He also pursued graduate school, earning his MSN in Nurse Anesthesia Concentration.

Derek was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. Always interested in his friends’ activities and interests, Derek was uncritical of his acquaintances. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found Derek to be very stimulating company. Derek's humor was contagious to those around him. While growing up, some of his best friends were Gabriel Cochran and John Hammock. Later in life, he became friends with Bryce Pope, Woodard Holland, Gerald Rice, Stephen Pacifico, Bryan Tigner, Rob Adham, David Snapp, Matt Conrad and Jake Samples. Also, a new friend and neighbor David Weatherly.

On October 26, 2002 Derek exchanged wedding vows with Anna Marie Barton at Bible Baptist Church of Rickman, Tennessee. Derek was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Derek was able to bring out the best in others. Derek was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse’s needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Anna. He was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Anna's.

Derek's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Derek was blessed with four children, Kalli, Emily, Brayden and Brenner. Someone who was quick to laugh, Derek found it easy to spend lots of time with his children and always wished he had more hours in the day to spend with them.

As a born inventor, Derek was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Derek was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. His personal initiative inspired those around him. His primary occupation was Chief CRNA. He was employed for Blount Memorial Hospital. Derek always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

Derek developed many interests and leisure pursuits. His favorite pursuits were hiking, watching and teaching his kids to play sports and going to the mountains. Putt-Putt golf with his family was also a favorite!

Derek's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well in sports. In high school, Derek played baseball and football. In his college years, Derek continued to stay active by playing baseball. Recreational sports included golf. Derek was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were football.

Derek was continually concerned with the status of local, national and even world affairs. His keen interest and strong values led him to become active in his community. Derek participated in several medical mission trips to Guatemala and Mexico. Politically, Derek was a strong supporter of the Republican Party and seriously considered running for State Representative.

Faith and religion were important to Derek. He accepted the Lord as his personal Saviour at the age of 5. He was a member of Temple Baptist Church for nine years. During that time, he was a Deacon, helped a Teens for Christ club at Powell Middle School and taught the 4 year old Sunday School class.

With all of his talents, his ingenuity, his solutions and inventiveness, it is no surprise that Derek received public recognition for his competence. With the drive and ability to meet any challenge, Derek accumulated a long list of achievements throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included the Donald Bell Memorial Heart Award.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Derek. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Derek to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included the beach, honeymoon in Hawaii, Washington D.C. and anniversary trip to St. Lucia.

Derek was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Derek's favorites was Jett Black of Belvedere, a Black Lab. They were best friends for 6 months.

Derek passed away on June 22, 2021 at Blount County, Tennessee. Motor vehicle accident. He is survived by wife, Anna; children, Kalli, Emily, Brayden, Brenner; parents, Tim and Karon Wilson; sister, Summer Cantrell and nephew, Knox. Services were held at Temple Baptist Church in Powell, Tennessee. Derek was laid to rest in Grandview Cemetery in Maryville, Tennessee.

During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Derek. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Derek was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For Derek, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Derek Timothy Wilson, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.

* * * * * * * * * *

Wilson, Derek Timothy, age 42, of Maryville, TN went Home to be with the Lord Tuesday, June 22, 2021. He was a faithful member of Temple Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. Derek trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior at age 5. As a young man, he surrendered his life to serve the Lord and has followed through with this commitment all of his life. He worked at Blount Memorial Hospital as a Nurse Anesthetist and was Chief CRNA. Because of his dedication to Christ and his medical training, he was able to provide anesthesia services on Medical Mission trips to Guatemala and Mexico. Derek loved nothing more than spending time with his family. Having had cancer as a teenager, Derek was told he could never have children, but the Lord blessed him with four beautiful children. He loved teaching his children sports of all kinds including, football, baseball, and golf. Other passions included playing the guitar, hiking, and family trips to the Smoky Mountains. Derek was a true family man and will be greatly missed by all who had the opportunity to know him.

Derek was preceded in death by grandmother, Donna Wilson; grandfather, Ralph Holloway. He is survived by his lovely wife of 19 years, Anna Wilson; children, Kalli, Emily, Brayden, and Brenner; parents, Tim and Karon Wilson; grandfather, George Wilson and grandmother, Frances Holloway; sister, Summer (Collin) Cantrell; nephew, Knox Cantrell; several aunts, uncles and additional family.

Family will receive friends Monday, June 28th from 5-7pm at the Curtis Hutson Chapel at Temple Baptist Church, 1700 W. Beaver Creek Dr. Powell, TN 37849 with funeral service following at 7pm. Pastor Clarence Sexton officiating. Graveside service will take place Tuesday, June 29th at Grandview Cemetery 2304 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803 meeting at the graveside at 10:45am for an 11am service with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the family to help them with their journey, please contact Janine Stinnett at 865-602-5204 for further details.