Derrick Alvin White

Derrick Alvin White was born on Sept. 16, 1955 in Brawley, Ca. He was the second of four children born to Alvin and Joyce White. When Derrick was 9 years old the family moved to San Diego. Derrick attended Valencia Park Elementary, Bell Jr. High and Lincoln High School. Derrick always loved taking things apart and putting them back together again. When he was 16 years old, he had a Volkswagen. He would drive up and down the neighborhood at night and have the car taken apart during the day. He would have pieces all over the driveway but would always have the car back together by night so he could drive up and down the neighborhood again. Derrick’s first love was Paula Rogers, and from that relationship, his daughter Kristina was born. After high school, Derrick began working with his father in construction and he continued in this field for 40 years. The last 2 years were spent taking care of his ailing father. Derrick met Lori Teran in 1986, she was the love of his life. After being together for a number of years, they were married in 2001. He and Lori raised her son Steven from birth. Derrick joined Bayview Baptist Church where he was baptized. He later joined New Season Church and said that he had found his home. He loved working at the church and attending church services and Sunday school. Derrick would not rest until he made sure his younger brother was baptized. That was one of the happiest days of his life. Derrick loved reading his bible. He would often call his older sister up to give her scriptures. Derrick was loved by everybody and was big brother to his friends. He loved playing with his nieces and nephews and spoiling them with gifts. Derrick loved his family dearly. He would always talk about getting together with all his kin folks. He never refused to help anyone who needed it. Derrick was also a great rigger, he could rig almost anything. He had a special name for it. which shall not be mentioned here. He was in the process of rigging his drums when he passed. Derrick lovingly started calling himself D-Romeo (from Romeo and Juliet) which was later shortened to Dero by all his friends. Derrick’s favorite hobbies were fishing, playing the harmonica, playing the drums and gardening. His specialty was growing roses, but he also loved growing vegetables. His favorite music was old school and Reggae and his favorite singer was James Brown, and the Reggae artist Luciano. On Thursday February 4th, God called Derrick home. He leaves to mourn his passing and celebrate his life, his wife, Lori White of San Diego, Ca; daughter Kristina White, San Diego, Ca; sons, Steven Teran, San Diego, Ca, and Darius White, San Diego, Ca; father Alvin White, of San Jacinto, Ca; His mother Joyce Jones of San Diego, Ca; Sister Cynthia Jackson (Douglas) San Diego, Ca; brother Timothy White, San Diego, Ca; sister Veronica Henderson (Dereck) Palm Desert, Ca; nephew Michael Davis, Hanford, Ca; nephew Tavon White, San Diego, Ca; niece Simon Henderson, Albuquerque, New Mexico; nephews Patrick and Ryan Henderson of Palm Desert, Ca; nephew and niece Brandon and Desire White, Kalamazoo, MI; great nephew Nathanal White, great niece Laila White, of San Diego, Ca; and a host of relatives and friends.