Derrick Lee Byron |
| Posted 2022-08-14 by mhenderson |
| Published by Mohave Daily News Online from Aug. 7 to Aug. 14, 2022 - Bullhead City, Arizona - Derrick Lee Byron, age 34, formerly of Angora, Minnesota passed away from heat exhaustion in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday, July 22, 2022. He was born on November 8, 1987 in Virginia, Minnesota. Derrick graduated high school with honors in 2006 from Cook High School, where he played the trumpet in the high school band. He then attended college, majoring in forestry. He enjoyed fishing, swimming, hunting, and spending time with friends and family. Sometimes at night, as a prank, he would sneak up to his brother's window and he would say, "Hey kid. What's up". Derrick was a kind, loving, and intelligent young man. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Richard Byron in 2011; and his grandmother, Valentine Shepard in September 2018. Derrick's grandmothers were especially beloved and he found security in their love and acceptance. He spent special time with his grandfather hunting. Derrick is survived by his mother, Lisa; father, Craig; brother, Trevor; grandmother, Karen Byron of Bullhead City, Arizona; Godfather, Dan Byron (Lucia Alaska); Godmother, aunt, Dawn Shepard; aunts, Tammy and Gina; and numerous cousins. On behalf of Derrick, an account has been set up at gofundme.com to cover costs of his unexpected funeral. Funeral arrangements are pending. Karen Byron, Derrick's grandmother, wrote the following tribute and farewell to her beloved grandson: On July 23, 2022, I received a call from my son in Minnesota, he was crying. Derrick, his son, my grandson, was found deceased in Las Vegas by a passerby, outside. He was taken to a funeral home (as he had been deceased for some time) and it was determined that he had succumbed to heat exhaustion. Derrick had originally come to Bullhead City to stay with me as he was recuperating from a shoulder injury sustained in 2014. He was welcome company for me as I had recently become a widow after 51 years of marriage. His shoulder developed sepsis and required various medical interventions, including pain prescriptions. His shoulder improved, and we spent many enjoyable hours together at bingo, at the casinos, at church, and on the river. Unfortunately back problems led to surgeries, more pain medications, and eventually an addiction that he was unable to control. Many people tried to help, but nothing worked and he ended up homeless. He will lovingly be remembered for his brilliant mind, high IQ, affinity for foreign language, and his big heart. He was interested in his Finnish ancestry and befriended a Finnish woman in the neighborhood that shared his interest. He even kept up correspondence with a Finnish foreign exchange student from high school. Derrick loved God and always said to me, "Believe in God, Grandma". I believe that Derrick is with God now. |
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