To view a livestream of the service, click
here.David Anthony Derr, Sr., 79, of Olathe, KS passed away peacefully on May 26, 2024, at Aberdeen Village.
He was born on December 25, 1944, to Harry and Rita (Brown) Derr in Lackawanna, NY. Dave attended South Park High School and served in the U.S. Army ('62-'65), which took him abroad to Germany. Dave worked in various management positions in the flour milling industry for The Pillsbury Company, Cereal Food Processors, Inc. & The Mennel Milling Company, retiring in 2008.
He was a member of the International Association of Operative Mills, the Grassfield Radio Control Club ( Brooklyn Park, MN) and the Roanoke Valley Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America.
Dave loved playing and watching many sports including golf, bowling, football and baseball. He thoroughly enjoyed coaching his son's Little League team for several years. Dave was a firearms collector and a world class clay pigeon shooter. Throughout the years, his favorite teams were the Bills, Vikings, Chiefs, Twins, Royals & Jayhawks.
On October 8, 1966, he married the love of his life, Judy Anne (Klimtzak), and they made their home in Buffalo, NY. Throughout their marriage, the couple moved their family to Minneapolis, MN, Overland Park, KS, & Salem, VA. They began retirement by fulfilling their lifetime dream of owning a log home in Paola, KS.
Dave enjoyed being the navigator for many family outings and trips.
Upon retirement Dave and Judy put many miles on their motorhome across the lower 48 states. Their beloved dog, "Champ", went along on such travels to the Grand Canyon, Florida Keys & Yellowstone, to name a few.
Dave was a kind and devoted husband and father. "Papa's" grandchildren were the apples of his eye. Everyone who knew Dave loved him.
Dave is survived by his loving wife, Judy, children, Darlene (Elk River, MN), Debra (Boise, ID), & David Jr. (Jessica Rush) (Overland Park, KS); grandchildren Alex, Rosemary, (David) Anthony III, Adeline & Isabelle.
He was preceded in death by twin siblings, John & Joanne & Chuck Brown.
A Celebration of Life at will be held on Sunday, June 9th at 2:00PM at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 S Black Bob Rd, Olathe, KS. Visitation begins at 1PM. If you are unable to attend, please join us by viewing the livestream link for the Celebration of Life.
A private mass for the family will be held at St. John Paul II Catholic Church & inurnment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
The family wishes to give a big thank you to the staff at Aberdeen Village for the tender loving care they gave Dave over the past 4 months.
Also, a special note of thanks to the staff at Ascend Hospice for their compassionate help over the last month.
Dave will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
His legacy will live on.
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