John William Derr Jr., MD

John William Derr Jr., MD, 74, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on August 25, 2026. He was born October 31, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late John William Derr, Sr. and Catherine Virginia Derr, née Curtis.

John is survived by his wife, Dee Ann Derr; son, Kendall Clark Derr (Heather); daughter, Olivia Catherine Derr; stepdaughters, Carrie Sharp (Douglas) and Katherine Nasser (Marc); sisters, Constance Dunham (Warren) and Mary Boggess (Ralph); grandchildren, Austin and Ava Frudakis, Watt and Decker Sharp, and Shelby Nasser; and sister-in-law, Carol Derr.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Frank Nelson Derr.

John devoted more than three decades of his life to the practice of plastic and reconstructive surgery in Louisville. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, Duke University and George Washington University School of Medicine, he completed advanced surgical training in Michigan, Louisville, and Miami before establishing a distinguished medical career dedicated to caring for others and mentoring future physicians.

While proud of his professional accomplishments, John considered his greatest blessings to be his faith, family, friendships, and recovery. After achieving long-term sobriety, he became a devoted member of Alcoholics Anonymous, generously sharing his experience, strength, and hope with countless individuals seeking recovery. Helping others find a path to sobriety was among the most meaningful commitments of his life.

John was an enthusiastic supporter of the arts, an avid UofL Cardinals fan and a lover of music. He found tremendous joy in attending performances through Kentucky Performing Arts and the Louisville Orchestra. His Christian faith guided him throughout his life, and he was a faithful member of Christ Church United Methodist Church, where he actively participated in the Men's Bible Study and sang in the church choir for many years. He will be remembered for his compassion, generosity, sense of humor, and unwavering willingness to help others.

A Service to Celebrate John's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Christ Church United Methodist Church (4614 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY 40207), with a reception to follow.

Memorial donations in John's memory may be made to Christ Church United Methodist Church Choir.