Donald Ray Derryberry

It is with profound sadness that the family of Donald Ray Derryberry announce his peaceful passing on September 28, 2023. He will be dearly be missed by everyone he has crossed paths with in his 75 years of life.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 45 years, Juanita Derryberry; two sons, Arturo Javier (Sarah) Derryberry and John Christopher Derryberry; daughter, Rita Rae (Nicholas) Austin; brother, Richard (Paula) Derryberry and grandchildren, Jackson, Dahlia and Dane Derryberry, Eliza Derryberry, Alyssa and Nicholas Austin.

He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Donald Jay Derryberry; sister, Jeanine Meeks and his parents, Fane and Dorothy Derryberry.

Donald attended William Jewell college and after playing on the conference champions as a first basemen, Donald went on to receive his Masters at Arizona University. Donald’s passion was teaching, coaching and sending his students and players to better situations in life and he knew it began in the classroom and how you walked off that field. 

He retired from teaching and coaching after 37 awesome years of doing what he loved. In that time, many knew him only as “Coach”, whether he was their teacher for History, or English. Don left an impact on many and it was truly an honor to be in his presence. Growing up the son of a Baptist preacher, Don was a man of few words. When he spoke everyone in the room would listen. He would always keep it simple and stick to the basics, start, try and finish. Don always maintained his faith, growing his knowledge daily and giving that, never failing support.

Coach could always bring out the best in his family, friends, fellow teachers, his players or in the classroom. Whether it be in life or in that special moment, he always played an integral part of that success. There were so many accomplishments this man obtained in his life but the ones that brought him true joy were the success of his children, students and players gained.

He was a father figure to many, the best coach to some, greatest teacher in the world to others, the best everything to a few, the love of her life to one and an enemy to none. Don not only gave his time energy, knowledge and love to his profession but to his family as well. A loving and understanding husband, and a stern but forgiving father, a dad that was always present and loyal friend who always cared. 

Heaven gained one of the great ones and we will forever fill his absence. But we will continue to love and remember the time that we were blessed to have been a part of Donald Ray Derryberry’s life. 

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 E. Main St. Alice, Texas 78332. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, October 2, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Rites of Christian Burial will follow at Chamberlain Cemetery in Kingsville, Texas.

Services are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 East Main Street, Alice, Texas.

Condolences may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com

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