The kids all wanted to have a fun night. We used to have movie nights when it was just Derek, the 2 girls Kalina and Lilyana, and then of course DJ after he came along but he was a newborn...we would take all the pillows in the house and the cushions from the couches and make a huge comfy pillow and blanket bed big enough for everyone and just munch a bunch of snacks and have family movie night. I cherish the memories that nothing can ever replace...those were the good days and I miss them so much. Keep on putting in a good word for us to the Lord...the kids and I have had many blessings since your passing that I never imagined doing without you but am grateful eternally for it all. Love and miss you. ~ Elyse

Derek I can’t believe you’re gone we haven’t spoken in years since when the pharaohs crew all kind of grew up and went out separate ways after years of our endless summers. The world seems a lot less brighter without you, more than few times I hesitated reaching out and ended up not thinking our life’s had moved forward with no need to look back and that we all moved on to bigger better things and our endless summers had ended on a high note. I will forever remember our wedge trips and panhandling to get to the beach and back.
Rest easy brother

The kids and I have been thinking about you so much lately...every day the boys bring up a memory of you as if you have just stepped out for a bit. I know you watch over all of us daily we miss you always but never forget you. As it comes close to a year ..which seems like a blink of an eye...just know we love you still. Sleep with the angels.

This picture matches my most special memory of all time with my best biggest cousin ever Derek you were truly the best biggest cousin I could ask for. I remember I wasn’t gonna go to prom and you said why not I told him well I’m a loner Derek I don’t really talk to boys like that also I don’t have a ride to prom either at the time my mom had no car. He said nope your going. He told me he never got to go to his prom and he would like to experience it with me if I let him. I say yes so he planned it out and even asked his mom my most lovely aunt penny to let him drive me in her car to prom she was so happy that he wanted to go with me so on this day so many thought ran through my head as a young woman he made it even more special he told me when we got to the location of prom he said Cyndelle let’s not tell no one I’m your big cousin let’s just have a wonderful time I say ok. So I went along with this so we did he had a blast I had everyone asking me who that, he is cute, give me his number. My come back was he isn’t available !!!! And just left them wondering lol!  Love you so much Derek had tears in my eyes writing this!!!

 There’s so many things that I can say about you. You are an amazing  Big brother.  Your presence and energy could light up a room.  You were someone that everyone wanted to be around all the time.  When we were younger we would always play a game that you made up.  You called it spider lol.  You would always make me be it.  Or you would make me watch you play video games all day  because I would get so into them when you would play, and I would get so upset when you would lose lol. There would be times when I didn’t want to watch you and  you would tell me it was more fun when I would sit there and watch you play I love those memories.  I miss you so much brother and I will forever have you in my heart until we meet again I love you.

I remember this one time derek and I rode our motorcycles on the bike trail all the way to Riverside over nite we ended up finding a homeless camp and stayed over nite with them til morning then rode home.. I will never forget all of our memories bro there so many of them. Im glad and honored to have had u in my life u have taught my alot bout being a better father to my kids and I couldn't thank you more.. rest peace fully bro see u wen I get there...

You will forever be loved and missed. I remember the first time our eyes met I can never explain with words how much I knew something was different about you babe. You were so adventurous and so full of life and love for everyone and everything. No one can ever replace you...I miss hearing you call me "lover", but I know you are in a better place without the pain and suffering of this cruel world...may you rest peacefully my husband...
            Love Always, Your Wife, Soulmate,
                 Elyse Valdepena

I remember a little boy dressed in a suit and mens hat bringing my little girl a wrist corsage for her birthday. The theme was to come dressed as a grown-up. This is how I want to always remember him, before life came along in the grown up world.  Terri Fletcher


My beautiful primo can't believe you are gone you will forever live in our hearts and in our memories we love you and miss you may your spirit live on primo mondo 

OBITUARY

Derek Andrew Valdepena

June 25, 1984 – March 4, 2019

Green Acres Memorial Park & Mortuary

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