Andrew Lynn Derrick

IRMO – Andy Derrick passed into his final resting place on January 14, 2023. Born in Columbia, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Alva Eugene Derrick and Viola Boykin Pebley. Andy was raised in Columbia, S.C. and graduated from Irmo High School. He received a computer programming degree from Midlands Technical College. It was there that he found his love for software development. He began his career in the Financial Services industry and worked primarily in the Information Technology field as a programmer analyst, manager and technical consultant. He quickly climbed the corporate ladder due to his technical skills and knowledge. He also created many programs for his own personal use just for the fun of it. Some would call him a computer nerd but he was much too personable and handsome for that.

He moved to Delaware in 2013 to work for J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. which is an American multinational financial services company headquartered in New York City and incorporated in Delaware. It is the largest bank in the United States. He retired as Vice President of Information Technology two years ago. At that time, he and his wife, Janet returned to the first home he built in Irmo, SC. He was thrilled to be close to his family again and fish on the banks of the Saluda River and in his boat on Lake Murray.

He had many interests and hobbies. He loved the water and was an avid fisherman since a young boy. Whether fishing for bass in a local river or deep sea fishing for marlin and tuna, he was hooked.

He loved working in his yard and landscaping with beautiful shrubbery and flowers. He had a nursery where he grew agave plants and azaleas. He definitely inherited his mother’s green thumb. You could usually find him on a lawn mower, digging, planting or pushing a wheelbarrow. The yard was his happy place.

He was an amazing photographer and enjoyed taking pictures of nature in general. Some of his best photos include beautiful flowers and birds. He and his wife, Janet, traveled to many scenic places to capture the beauty of the land.

He also loved to cook and was known for his excellent meals whether it was a southern specialty of pork chops and rice, barbeque chicken or one of his famous roast size steaks that he cooked on the grill. He loved cooking shows on television. Everyone counted it a privilege to eat at his table especially his sisters who enjoyed a meal and movie every Monday night at his house. His stepdaughter J.J. and son-in-law Chris frequently spent their Saturdays with Andy and Janet and would attest that he was master of the grill.

He enjoyed playing the stock market and was a whiz at it due to his background in finances. He often gave advice regarding stock picks and especially when to get in or when to get out.

He was a news junkie and a staunch Republican. He loved talking about politics and could get very animated over current affairs. Tucker Carlson and Fox News were his favorites.

Andy had a brilliant mind and taught himself through reading how-to books to do whatever he wanted to do. For example, as technology changed and he wanted to learn a new programming language, he would buy a book and learn it on his own. He built by his own hands a 40 foot shed and installed the electricity. He also built several odd pieces of furniture. We attributed his can-do attitude and determination to his DNA – a combination of Derrick and Boykin blood. He had an outstanding work ethic.

Most of all he loved his family. He never failed to tell us that he “loved us big.” He was such a fun-loving, funny guy. He never met a stranger and was usually the life of the party. He and his wife shared many happy times and there was always laughter in their home. He exuded joy and it was a pleasure to be in his company.

He is survived by his loving and faithful wife Janet Derrick; daughter, Jessica Jordan of Irmo, SC; step daughter Janet (J.J.) Freitick (Chris) of Elgin, SC; grandchildren Emmanuel, Elijah, Kaitlynn and Kayla; sisters, Bankie Shealy (Tullie) and Shay Feaster; nephew and nieces (Jamie Player, Summer Thav, Sophie Derrick, and Erin Derrick) and their children. Andy was particularly fond of his Aunt Anita Weed who lived across the road from him and his cousins Brady, Ronnie and Allen Weed who shared his passion for boating and fishing.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Chip Derrick.

The Celebration of Life service will be held at the Dunbar Funeral Home – Dutch Fork Chapel located at 7600 Woodrow St, Irmo, SC 29063 at 2:00 pm on January 20, 2023.

You may share your own memories, condolences and reflections at:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/irmo-sc/andrew-derrick-11105408

The family would like to thank Homestead Hospice and Janet’s sisters Yvonne Solem and Stephanie Riviera who left their out-of-state homes to come and provide care and support for Andy during his final days.

We will miss you, our dear and precious Andy, and we will always “love you big.”