John David Derr

Dave Derr (born John David Derr) passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on January 22, 2026 after battling Alzheimer’s and ALS. He was born on October 5, 1950 in Akron, Ohio, the son of John D. and Janis H. (Leighton) Derr.

Dave graduated from Hoban High School in 1968 and from Miami University of Ohio in 1972 with a B.S. degree in Business and a minor in Economics. He worked alongside his father for The Derr Brick Company in Richfield, OH for most of his business career.

Dave had a natural talent for building and working with his hands. In the 1960s, he built and raced go-karts for the Akron Soap Box Derby, and in the 1980s he designed and raced remote control model boats as a member of the Firestone Model Boat Club, earning multiple awards for his exquisite paintwork on his boats.

Dave’s love of woodworking continued in life, leading him to build customized 7-foot grandfather clocks. Each clock was carefully sanded, constructed, and stained with precision. Later, Dave expanded his craft to include wall-mounted, customized grandfather clocks which included a picture collage in the bottom section of the clock that represented the life or hobby of the recipient. These one-of-a-kind clocks were all generously gifted to family and friends. One such clock was donated to Hoban High School as one of their prominent silent auction items in the school’s fundraiser that year.

Dave married Debra in 1983, and together they joyfully celebrated over 42 beautiful years of marriage. In the late 1990s, Dave started playing trumpet again, an instrument that he learned to play as a teenager. When an opportunity arose at their church, he and Debra began serving on the Worship Team, which Dave faithfully continued for 22 years.

In 2021, Dave and Debra moved from Akron to Pataskala, Ohio to be closer to family. Dave grew to love the quiet rural surroundings, where he daily enjoyed watching the birds, cows and deer around their home. Yet, he dearly missed his many close friends in Akron.

In addition to his parents, Dave was predeceased by his brother, Christopher (Kelly, surviving) Derr. Dave leaves his beloved wife, Debra Park Derr; son, Jason (Amy) Derr; daughter, Jessica (Haden) Reif; brother, Richard (Elizabeth) Derr; sister, Nancy “Sister Celeste” Derr; niece, Amber Derr; and two nephews, John (Megan) Derr and Brandon (Katey) Derr.

Dave loved God, was a devoted husband and father, and a good friend to all. He will forever be missed. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, February 14th at 1:00 p.m. at Impact City Church, 8577 Watkins Road SW, Pataskala, OH 43062. Visitation will be at noon. Those who wish to honor Dave’s memory with a donation may contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601. Memorial donations can also be sent to The ALS Association, P.O. Box 37022, Boone, IA 50037-0022.