C Warren Derrick Jr., M.D.

Born in Mullins, SC and raised in Marion, he was the eldest son of Helen and Warren Derrick, Sr. After graduating from Marion High School as president of the student body in 1954, he entered Wofford College where he was a member of Blue Key and President of Kappa Sigma fraternity, graduating in 1958. Deciding on a career in medicine, he was accepted into the Medical College of South Carolina, graduating in 1962. While in medical school, he married Ann Marie Berry of Spartanburg.

After completing a rotating internship at Greenville Memorial Hospital, he was inducted into the U.S. Army as a Captain in the Medical Corps and stationed in Nuremberg, Germany, serving for 2 years as Battalion Surgeon for the 34th Artillery, 2nd AC. After discharge and returning stateside in 1965, he accepted a position with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo as a physician in their student health center for one year. Then, in 1966, he started a 2-year pediatric residency at the University of Alabama Medical Center in Birmingham followed by a 3-year fellowship in pediatric infectious disease at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama. After completion of his fellowship, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Pediatrics. He rose to Associate Professor in 1975 and served as Director of Outpatient Services at the Children’s Hospital. It was during their 10 years in Birmingham that their 3 children were born.

Returning to South Carolina, he accepted a position with Sumter Pediatrics in Sumter in January 1977. After 10 months in private practice, he was offered, and he accepted, a faculty position with the fledgling new medical school in Columbia as Professor of Pediatrics and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, University of South Carolina School of Medicine—a position he was to hold for the next 29 years.

During his tenure with Children’s Hospital and the medical school, he was instrumental in the growth and development of the pediatric department and in the establishment of the state’s first free-standing children’s hospital. Under his leadership, the department developed a national reputation for its educational excellence and patient care. He retired in 2007. Among his many honors were: distinguished alumni/service awards from the Children’s Hospital of Alabama, USC School of Medicine, and Wofford College; The Presidential Merit Award, MUSC; William Weston Distinguished Service Award, Department of Pediatrics, USC School of Medicine; and the Order of the Palmetto, State of South Carolina.

He was predeceased by Ann, his wife of 58 years. Surviving are his 3 children: Andrea Derrick Truitt (Chip), Hope Derrick (Marc Turner), and Scott Derrick (Melissa); six grandchildren: Abby, Shelby, and Rachel Truitt; Ethan and Emery Turner; and Tripp Derrick, all of Columbia. Also surviving is his brother Bill Derrick (Jo) of Myrtle Beach. He was predeceased by his sister, Susan Derrick of Palatka, Florida.

A private burial will be held at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church and a celebratory service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the C. Warren Derrick, Jr. Bicentennial Scholarship, USC School of Medicine, 6311 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209 or Prisma Health Children’s Hospital – Midlands, c/o Prisma Health Midlands Foundation, 1600 Marion St., Columbia, SC 29201.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Please visit our online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com.