Jimmy Derry

Jimmy E. Derry was born to the late Bennie and David Lee Derry on January 3, 1957 and went to be with our Lord Sunday, November 17, 2024. He was the eighth child of twelve born to this union. His parents and four siblings preceded him in death.
Jimmy was educated in the San Antonio Independent School District, attending Smith Elementary, Poe Junior High and graduating from Brackenridge High school, Class of 1975, where he played basketball.
He met the love of his life, Gwendolyn Johnson in the summer of 1972. Jimmy and Gwen entered Holy matrimony on August 8, 1979. They were blessed with children Lauran Derry Porter and Justin Michael Derry.
Jimmy fulfilled the requirements for Firefighter on October 15, 1979 with the San Antonio Fire Department and after 27 and 1/2 years of service he retired in 2007.
He was always a hard and consistent worker and prior to his joining the fire department in 1979 he worked at H.E.B., Jack & Georgie’s’ Ice House and Elmo Moving and Storage Company. Jimmy loved to cook and over the years he hosted many family celebrations, birthdays, holidays, vacations and special events with friends and community and served in the capacity as cook for his shift at work.
Growing up in Denver Heights Jimmy developed a close bond with a special group of men that supports each other to this day. While he enjoyed times “the fellas” spent together he did not mind being the only man in the company of his wife, sisters and other friends for trips to the beach and the hill country together. It was always a time we looked forward to. He enjoyed going fishing and taking care of his grandsons. Affectionately known as “Bobo” by his grandchildren, who were the apple of his eye. He enjoyed being a part of their upbringing.
Over the years, Jimmy by God’s grace and mercy, was surrounded by family that shared the compassion of Jesus and God’s gift for eternal life and placed his faith in Jesus as his Savior and has peace with God.
Jimmy leaves to cherish his memory his dearly beloved wife of 45 years, Gwen Derry; children, Lauran Porter and Justin Derry; grandsons, Kevin Keith Jones II, Alyjah Anthony Thompson, Jaymison William Porter; siblings, Lee Ellen Derry, James Derry (Darlene), Maxine Derry, Gloria Derry, Janet Derry, Sharon Newsome (Benjamin), Sheila Derry; sister-in-law, Jessica Hairston; one aunt, Eva Richards (Bryant) and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.