Derek Christopher Gonner

DEREK CHRISTOPHER GONNER. Father, son, grandson, brother. He always ran fast and near the edge, exuded confidence, smiled huge and laughed easily, commanded the room, charmed naturally and loved fiercely. He never met neutral. To know him was never bland.

Derek was born October 9, 1994, in Kansas City, Missouri, and passed away in his home in Kansas City December 20, 2019. He was a 2013 graduate of Park Hill South High School, where he was active in sports, especially baseball. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2018, where he experienced college life to its fullest, and earned a B.S. in human environmental sciences along with a large catalog of friends and expertise in all things Razorback.

Derek was fearless on the wave-runners and four-wheelers at the Lake of the Ozarks, where he spent many summer weekends on the family property. He was an account manager with Helm Fertilizer Corporation, exploiting his natural charm to sell fertilizer into the U.S agribusiness industry. He was a fan, in the fullness of that word, of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

His entire life was animated by family. Derek would probably say his greatest love and achievement was his beloved son Bennett, now 18 months old and Derek’s near clone, and Derek’s loving legacy to his heirs.

Derek is survived by his son Bennett, Bennett’s mother Callan Burns, his parents Larry Gonner and Renae Krause (husband Philip), his sister Lauren Martyn (husband Travis), grandparents Lois Gonner, and Harold and Clara Cleberg, and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfather Don Gonner.

A memorial service for Derek will be held at 4:00 p.m., December 27, 2019, and the family will receive visitors beginning at 3:00 p.m., at Church of the Resurrection Downtown, 1601 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108. Arrangements are being handled by McGilley Antioch Chapel. In lieu of flowers, an education fund has been established for Bennett Gonner. Donations to Bennett's fund may be forwarded to Joe Graham - Vice President, Commerce Trust Company, 118 W 47th St, Kansas City, MO 64112.

MEMORIAL SERVICE STATEMENT BY DEREK’S FAMILY

Derek’s family is a large group, held together by many threads. We are like every family, with strengths and imperfections, successes and mistakes, joys and regrets, and squabbles from time to time.

Today we are held together by a thread named Derek. Today that thread is very strong. It weaves through grandparents, aunts and uncles, moms and dads, siblings, spouses, cousins, special people, friends and friends and more friends. And one very-very precious little boy.

This family, as a tapestry woven from these threads, has just a few things to say. This comes from all of us.

We aren’t here to make Derek a saint. We aren’t, and so he couldn’t possibly be. But he is ours and we claim all of him as ours. Today we are straining to hold on to as much of him as we can possibly grasp, lest the fine sands of memory slip through our clutching fingers. We are sharing him with you, so that you too may share in our loss, and so that you may also share in our hopes.

We are overwhelmed by your expressions of sympathy and generosity in our days of sorrows. They have come by text messages, telephone calls, e-mails, social media posts, personal visits, sandwich trays and cookies. All these expressions are significant and important, because they come from those who care, and they form threads within our tapestry to make it stronger and more colorful. We thank you deeply. Thank you.

Our pastors have explained that this is not the end of the story, just as Derek’s birth was not the beginning. Today’s expressions are intended to point forward. The stories of Derek’s life always suggest something incomplete and something more to come. While his physical presence is concluded, his longer-larger presence continues. If you doubt, just spend a moment looking at Bennett. In that moment, you will experience “The Thin Space”—that nearly imperceptive holy connection between where we are and where we would be. As Derek’s family, we claim the complete story.

Peace and comfort to each of you, even as you bring your peace and comfort to us.