Walker Walter Derr

Services for Walker Walter Derr, 83, of Tyler formerly of Irving, will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 1:00 PM at Glenwood Church of Christ in Tyler, TX with Grady King officiating. Burial will follow at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas on Monday, February 4, 2013 at 9:30 AM under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Derr passed away peacefully, surrounded by family January 28, 2013 under the care of Hospice of East Texas. He was born in Chillicothe, Texas on January 22, 1930 to E.L. and Ellena Mae Walker Derr. Walker served his country in the US Navy during the Korean War from 1951 until 1954 serving aboard a destroyer escort, the USS Ulvert M. Moore. He and his wife Wanda married in 1953. Walker earned his bachelors degree from Texas Tech University in 1955 and was an active member of Texas Tech Alumni. After college, he worked for the State Board of Insurance, and Continental Casualty Company. Beginning in 1972, he was the owner and operator of Suburban Insurance Agency, retiring in 1991. He and Wanda resided in Irving from 1957 -2010, before moving to Meadowlake Retirement Center in Tyler. Walker was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club and worked with the Boy Scouts. As a member of the South MacArthur Church of Christ, he was also active as a sponsor on numerous mission trips to Mexico where he worked constructing church buildings. Walker loved family and friends. He and Wanda hosted countless gatherings and visitors at their home in Irving and their vacation home in Gunnison, CO. He and Wanda also traveled extensively. Walker loved all things outdoors; college football - particularly his beloved Texas Tech Red Raiders - fly-fishing, camping, and hunting. He was an avid gardener and maintained a large, fruitful garden even through this past fall. Walker was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, E.L. Derr, Jr. He is survived by his loving family including his wife of 59 years and 8 months, Wanda Abston Derr of Tyler, formerly of Irving; children, Burt Derr and wife Jolie of Dallas, Bruce Derr and wife Carole of San Francisco, Mark Derr and wife Trina of Ft. Worth, and Donna LaRue and husband Jim of Whitehouse; sister, Virginia Smith of Amarillo; grandchildren, Jessica and her husband Tommy Nguyen of Pittsburgh, PA., Sara Derr of Colorado Springs, CO., Lily and Isabelle Derr of Dallas, Sasha and Juliette Derr of San Francisco, CA., and Walker LaRue of Whitehouse; and by great-grandchildren, Matthew and Genevieve Nguyen of Pittsburgh, PA. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 –7:00 PM on Friday, February 1, 2013 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. If desired, memorials may be made to Glenwood Church of Christ, 5210 Hollytree Dr, Tyler, 75703, the Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler 75701 or a charity of your choice. .

Walker Walter Derr

January 22, 1930 - January 28, 2013