Derek W. Thompson

Derek Winston Thompson, 78, of Chester Springs, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2019.

Derek was the beloved husband of Anna Thompson with whom he shared 58 years of caring marriage.

He was also the beloved son of Marjorie and John; Father to Pauline Ann and John Derek; Brother to Pauline, Gail and Ronald; and cherished Grandfather to Lisa, Milana, Erica, Monique and Kiara.

Derek commanded great respect and admiration with his physical stature, booming voice, true leadership quality, straight from the hip wit and genuine charitable nature. A strong character that always made sure those around him had what they needed with the insistence that he was owed nothing except reciprocal love. He fit the definition of a hero in two ways. First by a family member’s definition that a hero is someone that assumes the responsibility to help others without thought of doing so because he has the ability to do so.

In the second way, he was a hero as famous Superman actor, Christopher Reeve once said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Derek endured and overcame numerous health challenges over the last 10 years of his life with an incredible bravery and an almost inhuman physical capacity for recovery that set an enduring example for others to follow. We remember him not for how he passed, but how he lived and how the lives of those he touched are forever brighter for having known him, been inspired by him, been cared for by him and having been loved by him.

Family will have their viewing time with Derek at James J. Terry Funeral Home at 736 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown PA 19335 from 12:00pm on Tuesday, August 27th. Friends will then be received between 12:30 to 1:45pm with a service to commence at 2:00pm.

Interment will follow at St. Mathews Memorial Gardens at 2440 Conestoga Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425.

Join us as we honor a life well lived and a beloved man who enhanced the lives of others.

In lieu of flowers, honor his charitable memory by making a contribution to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.  

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