Derrick Lee Searcy Jr.

You marched to a cadence the world missed entirely,

A private symphony, beautiful and clear.

While others moved fast in a blur and hurry.

You noticed the small, quiet things far and near.

A line of your favorites, a turn of your hand,

The brilliance that lived in the map of your mind.

You spoke in a language most didn’t understand,

But your heart was so steady, so honest, so kind.

The world could be loud, and the days could be bright,

with static and storms that we carried for you.

Now quiet has found you, and soft, gentle light,

And all of the colors are brilliant and true.

No barrier now between what you would say

The love that we always held close in our chest.

Your spirit is running, unleashed and at play.

In infinite peace and in absolute rest.

Sleep well, my dear Son,

my brother, my teacher, and my friend.

The song that you started goes in our hearts.

Love doesn’t finish; it knows no dead end.

And nothing keeps our spirits apart

We will carry you in our hearts

Now and forever!!!

Derrick Searcy Jr. was born on May 18, 2010, at Spring Valley Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Derrick Lee Searcy Sr. and Nina Ponciano.

A Beautiful Daily Routine

Derrick was my sunrise and my sunset. He loved taking showers and would take five or six a day if you let him. He simply loved the feel of water and the comfort of being clean. When he was finished, he would grab a comb and brush, place them on our bed, and refuse to leave the room until I braided his hair. I loved showing off his hair, but he would toss it toward me and say, “No!” because he did not want anyone making a fuss over it. From an early age, Derrick learned to take pride in grooming himself.

Some mornings, Derrick would wake up first and wait for me to get up so the day could begin. He would walk back and forth from his room to our bathroom, look in the mirror, look at me, and then return to his room. He had his own routine: getting dressed for school, spraying on his cologne, putting on deodorant, and brushing his teeth. Just like his dad, he always made sure everything was just right before heading out. Derrick had a handsome smile you could count on every time you looked at him.

Music, Movies, and the Sounds He Loved

If you looked at Derrick, you would never know he was autistic and nonverbal. He was a handsome young man with long, curly hair and a style all his own. He almost always had his headphones on, and he was constantly breaking them. Over time, he moved from padded headphones to wireless ones, and he always found a way to let us know when he needed a new pair.

We never always knew what he was listening to. Sometimes it was a mix of funny sounds, and other times it was his favorite music. He especially loved the piano introduction to The Young and the Restless theme song, along with the opening of 50 Cent’s Power. He played those sounds over and over again.

When his dad was getting ready for work, Derrick would come into the room and change the channel to The Young and the Restless. As he got older, he learned to use the DVR recording feature. Just like his grandma, no matter what time it was, he had to hear it.

Derrick also loved watching movies, especially animated favorites like Cars, Robots, and Over the Hedge. Alongside those, one of his regular favorites was Straight Outta Compton. He would ask me to enter the code on Prime so he could watch it.

The Little Things That Made Him Derrick

Ripping paper was one of Derrick’s favorite activities. Whenever he ripped paper, his nephew Nate would try to take it from him, but Derrick was quick. He would crumble the paper into his fist before Nate could get it, turning it into a game he loved to play.

Derrick also collected pennies. He would pour them onto the floor in his room along with straws, then organize the straws by color every single day. You knew not to touch the patterns he created. In the car, he would reach for the cup holder and ignore every silver coin, taking only the pennies. “Never underestimate the power of the penny.” When it was time for bed, Derrick would put them away.

Riding in the car was fun for him. He liked the window down so he could put his hand outside. Later, he loved showing us whatever he was looking at on his phone, but we were not allowed to touch it. Painting and going to the park were things we loved doing as a family, and he especially loved the splash pad.

Our Close Bond

Our family was close, and we loved being together. There was never a day I did not tell Derrick I loved him. I was his voice and his hands whenever he needed them. When I left for work, I would tell him, “I love you, Mama will be back,” and he would wait for me to come home.

Every night, after Derrick put his pennies and other things away, he would pull the blanket off his bed and come get me so I could tuck him in. We would count to three, and I would fling the blanket into the air, so it fell perfectly over him. Then we would do the same with his weighted blanket. Once both blankets were in place, he was ready for bed.

Derrick and I were inseparable. There was nothing we would not do for him. He was a happy baby who rarely cried, and I talked about him so much that strangers felt like they knew him. He was the missing piece to our family puzzle, and he changed us forever.

A Life Full of Love

Derrick had a passion for swimming, which we discovered when he was four or five years old at a swim party. He took one look at the water, ran, and jumped right in, scaring everyone as they rushed into the pool to pull him out. He loved the family dogs and would share his chicken nuggets with them. As he grew, his tastes expanded, and he came to love his Mama’s pasta. Chicken Alfredo was his favorite, especially with a cold Dr. Pepper or Sprite.

Derrick was an amazing son, full of energy and surrounded by a family who always had his back. We were his little village. He taught us patience, and when we said, “I love you,” he would respond in sign language, blow us a kiss, and remind us in his own way how deeply he loved us back. We love you, son, forever.

Derrick received his education through the

Clark County School District in Las Vegas NV. Attending

Tony Alamo Elementaty

Canarelli Middle School

Durango High School

I will cherish the memory of you, my son.

Mother: Nina Ponciano

You will never be forgotten

Father: Derrick Searcy

Derrick Searcy leaves to cherish his memories

Father: Derrick Searcy Sr.

Mother: Nina Ponciano

Siblings: Brittany Searcy, TyteAnna Boyston, Daventra Ponciano,

grandparents: Duke and Aletha Mills & Raymond and Teri Ponciano

Nephews: Calvin, Majesty, Pharaoh Searcy, Johnthan, Nathan Williams

Nieces: Skylar, Akila Searcy, Nova Williams

Last but certainly not least, a host of family and friends.