Thomas Harold Derrick (Hal), 72, of Flat Rock, North Carolina, passed away at his home on March 26th, and is survived by his loving wife, Ruthie, daughter Susan and her partner Andrew McAllister, son Tom and daughter-in-law Mary and granddaughters Lela, Ada, and Zola.
Hal was known and loved for his gregarious, warm personality, his generosity, and his faith. Born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina by his loving parents Harold Green and Dae Sease Sims Derrick, Hal’s early years were a happy 1950’s childhood and included working the family farm plot and selling vegetables on the weekends. Summers included trips up to LutherRidge and his beloved Biltmore Farms Dairy for ice cream. Hal played high school football for Dreher before attending Newberry College, where he was a charter member of Theta Chi Fraternity and graduated with a BA in History. His life changed for the better in 1972, when early in his senior year, Hal began dating Ruthie. The two were married in Orangeburg, SC in June 1974.
In the early years of their marriage, Ruthie earned her college degree as Hal taught history, coached a high school tennis team to the state championship, found time for hunting, and ultimately settled into banking. His hard work and dedication in banking were acknowledged when he served as president of an association of Farm Credit banks in Georgia. In 1985, Hal and Ruthie took an opportunity to move their young family to Fairfax, VA as Hal took a job as a bank regulator at the Farm Credit Administration (FCA). The DC suburbs offered something that Hal wanted for their children – great schools – and endless opportunities to be an involved father.
Their world expanded further as Hal and Ruthie got their passports in 1989, and trips overseas often combined their mutual love of history with sightseeing – from Athens and Rome to walking on the beaches of Normandy and visiting Hadrian’s wall. His recent trip to Egypt with Susan was the true “trip of a lifetime” for Hal.
Hal continued to progress professionally into the 90’s, including a stint as FCA’s liaison to Capitol Hill and serving in a delegation visiting St. Peterburg, Russia in ’93. He was also a founding Director of Congaree State Bank in West Columbia, SC, serving alongside his dear friend Steve Nivens.
Church and Faith have always been an integral part of Hal’s life. While in Virginia, Hal & Ruthie became active and involved members of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, with Hal serving on the Church Council for several years. His foray into Men’s Ministries began in the church kitchen in St. Andrew, as the monthly fellowship gatherings earned him his coveted “True Grit” award for leading men’s breakfast and teaching those “northerners” how to enjoy grits.
Upon retirement from federal service in 2012, Hal and Ruthie relocated to Flat Rock, NC, quickly becoming active members of Grace Lutheran Church. Hal was delighted to be invited to serve as President of the Grace Lutheran Church Foundation and on the Board of the Home Mission Foundation. He found a calling with Lutheran Men in Mission, a men’s ministry with a mission to lead by the Spirit and carry out one’s actions in a Christ-like manner. Ultimately Hal served as National President for the past 6 years. His third passion, after family and faith, has undoubtably been golf, and living in the golf community of Kenmure allowed him to play several times a week and finally get good, or at least better.
Hal impacted everyone who knew him, with an infectious laugh, usually the loudest in the room, and a sincere humility and kindness. In celebration of a life well lived, the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be sent in Hal’s memory to Grace Lutheran Church or to Lutheran Men in Mission. Donations can be made here.
Funeral services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Hendersonville, NC on Saturday, April 01, 2023 at 11:00 am with a reception to be held afterwards.