Darrell Patton Derden

Darrel Patton "Pat" Derden, 68, went to be with the Lord Friday, July 15, 2005 at 11:45 a.m.. Funeral: 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 19 at North Main Church of God. Burial: Memory Gardens. Visitation: 6-8 p.m., Monday at White's Funeral Home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, family requests donation to Center of Hope in Weatherford in memory of Pat Derden. Pat was born April 10, 1937 in Malakoff to J.K. and Biddy Derden. Pat retired from the Fort Worth fire department as a member of the search and rescue dive team and a firefighter after 32 years. He also retired from the Wall Street Journal as a mailer and still occasionally drove their delivery trucks. Papa, as his grandkids fondly called him, loved to spend time with his family and reading history books. He also loved hunting, fishing and traveling to Holly Lake. Papa was also a welder by trade. He enjoyed working with and teaching his sons and grandsons tricks of the trade. In February, 2005 he fulfilled his lifelong dream of visiting Australia and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef. Papa Pat lived every day of his life as he wished, no looking back, no regrets. Survivors: Wife of 29 years, Orlano; sons, Kem "Beau" Derden, Lee Dill and wife, Debbie, Lelan Stice and wife, Lisa, Dempsey Stice; daughters, Darrelyn "Dee" Parrish and husband, Kirk, Monica Brown and husband, Jim; grandchildren, Justin Rokus and wife, Kristi, Kale Rokus, Shea and Jace Parrish, Blake and Brandi Dill, Britton, Autumn, Paige, and Reagan Stice, Weston and Joseph Brown; great-grandsons, Connor and Braydan Rokus; brother, Mike Derden and wife, Terry; countless nieces, nephews, friends; and his beloved cows, dog, Bear and cat, Cleo.