Derrick Albert Clark

Derrick Albert Clark was born in Denver on April 8, 1963 and passed away February 12, 2022. His lungs were badly scared from having several bouts of pneumonia as a child. When he caught COVID, his lungs could not withstand the virus. He passed away quietly in his sleep surrounded by the people he loved: some were there in person, and some were there through social media. His parents were Phyllis Bunce Clark and John Totton Clark. He had three siblings, Pamla Clark Sterner, Melody Clark Calkins, and Robert Clark. He is survived by his cousins Dale Beebe, Debra Beebe Mendez, and Sandy Beebe McMillan, his nephews Will Sterner and Douglas Sterner, and nieces, Jennifer Sterner Lundin and Tiffany Sterner Neely, grandnephews Dante Lundin, Xavier Lundin, and Emmett Neely, as well as his grandnieces Tara Borror, and Brielle Sterner.

Derrick did not speak as early as most children do, there was no reason for him to talk, being the youngest, his siblings gave him everything he pointed to. His mom played a record of “Jesus Loves Me,” constantly and those were Derrick’s first words. Once Derrick started talking, he was never shy. Melody remembers how he greeted everyone he saw, even giving them a hug while they were at the World’s Fair in Spokane, Washington in 1974.

Derrick loved talking to Danny (his sister Pam’s first ventriloquist figure) and whenever Derrick was in trouble for doing something like coloring his black and white television, he was quick to say, “Danny did it.” Later Derrick’s love was transferred to Pamla’s current ventriloquist figure Otis. He would always say, “Oh Otis” and laugh.

Derrick enjoyed coloring with Jennifer, Tiffany, Tara, Brielle, and Emmett. He loved it when Cheri, Douglas Sterner’s wife, sat next to him on the couch and showed him pictures of his mom, Phyllis, who passed away in 2018. He would have a big smile on his face and hold Cheri’s hand. His smile was the first thing that Melody’s husband, Tim, noticed about him. Derrick was always happy.

Derrick had a second mom, Nancy Sullo, that he lived with over the last ten years, spending a few days every month with his biological mom. After his mom, Phyllis, passed away, Derrick enjoyed spending time at his sister Pamla’s house and devoured Doug’s (Pamla’s husband) pancakes. Doug and Derrick were very close.

Derrick loved his family, going to church, and watching sports, especially Football. His two favorite teams were the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos. Derrick and his smile will be greatly missed. He is now reunited with his mom, dad, and brother.