BREWINGTON, Derek

Derek (Heber Delanoe) Brewington, age 77 years, of Foristell, MO., passed away Sunday, August 18 at his home, in the presence of loving family members. Derek, known as “Buck” or “Buster” to his family was born August 28, 1935 at Brunot, Missouri, son of Richard Lee Brewington and Lula (Matlock) Brewington. “Buck” was preceded in death by his parents; Richard Lee Brewington and Lula (Farmer) Brewington, two sisters; infant Myrtle Brewington and Mable (Engelken), two brothers; Howard Brewington and Richard (Bud) Brewington Jr. Derek had been married to Sara Ann “Penny” True of Scottsdale, Arizona. Penny died in a horseback riding accident on January 24, 1964. Their daughter Delaney was 18 months of age at the time of Penny’s death. Derek is survived by his daughter, Delaney Andrews, now living in Burbank, California. Grandsons, Brandon and Andrew also live in Burbank. Derek is also survived by his sister, Thelma Murphy of Russellville, Arkansas. Other survivors include many nephews, nieces and cousins. He is remembered as “Buck” and loved by countless friends of the Brunot, Missouri area of his youth. Derek often expressed his gratitude and love for the support of many friends and relatives who watched and prayed during his illness. He expressed special appreciation for dear friends Gari Carter and Greg Engelhardt of the Sarasota, Florida area. They were so supportive of Derek, providing transportation, advice, encouragement and prayer to both Derek and Jack (Buck’s nephew who stayed with Buck during the illness.). He spoke often of cherished memories with friends from California, Arizona, Florida and other places of his heart. He appreciated the gifts and cards received during his illness. Buck seemed to find something positive about nearly every situation and genuinely liked people. His reputation was that when you left a conversation with Derek, you felt better for the experience. His great-grandfather, Jim Farmer told him, when Derek was a pre-teen, “Buster, you have the gift of gab.” Derek’s career included service with the United States Navy as an Avionics Technician. Later, he worked as a Radar Technician for the General Electric Company on our country’s Ballistic Missile Early Warning system in Thule, Greenland. Derek attended UCLA, Pepperdine University, and the University of the Americas in Mexico City. He held a Master’s Degree in Business. For most of his career, Derek worked independently as a marketing expert and management consultant. He would often collaborate with other creative business people in product development, internet sales and network marketing. Derek was a professing Christian and he deeply trusted Jesus Christ as his sole source of forgiveness and salvation. He had a keen interest in Biblical history, especially events and culture of the Jewish people within the region of the Mideast. Derek traveled to Israel as a means to study and experience the sources of scripture. Derek read from his Bible nearly daily as reinforcement to his faith. As his battle with cancer grew more difficult, he expressed a readiness, in his own words, “to graduate”. He also held a deep, patriotic love for America. His world-view was Christian-based and carried fervor for liberty, the confidence of independence, with the responsibility of moral stewardship. He loved the ocean with a special place in his heart for Siesta Key, Florida. He will experience a reward beyond imagination as he approaches the gates of Paradise. Buck is being met with joyous celebration at the shores of Heaven. Our loss today is short-lived on the scale of eternity. Derek’s great-nephew, Adam Hollmann, said it well in this prayer, which he wrote for Buck’s sister, Mabel in 2010. It is borrowed here as our lasting prayer for Uncle Buck. Dear Jesus, Keep Buck safe. We prayed and prayed that he would be healthy. But now he is because he's with you. Some people may cry that he is gone but not really. He is with you. When we die he will be one of the thousands of people to greet us in heaven. We will keep Uncle Buck in our prayers as we continue our life. But we will all have a memory of him in our hearts. Amen. A graveside service for Derek will be held Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri at 10:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers family and friends who wish to honor Derek's life may contribute to Heartland Hospice in care of Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services, 2115 Parkway Dr., St. Peters, Missouri 63376.

BREWINGTON, Derek

August 18, 2013