James Justin Derrick's Obituary
James Justin Derrick, 52, of Huntersville, North Carolina died on September 10, 2024. Born on March 15, 1972 in Columbia, South Carolina, Justin was the son of Jan Wilson Smith and Jimmy Derrick. Justin received a Bachelor of Science degree in Textiles from North Carolina State University and recently obtained a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from the University of California at Riverside. While at NC State, he served as president and social chair of the Sigma Nu fraternity.
Justin was a gifted composer and an avid guitarist. He began studying music at age 10, performing individually and with various groups in the years that followed. As a musician, Justin was happiest with a 12-string guitar in his hands. He played in the band, Via, and performed throughout the Southeast.
Justin enjoyed a successful career in textiles, managing operations for an international fabric brand for over two decades. In the workplace, he was a thoughtful manager, kindhearted contributor and caring leader with an easy smile for everyone he encountered. When Justin met his future bride, Julia, he knew he’d surely met his match. The two married in November 2015 and welcomed Henry the following year. Henry became the light of their lives, and Justin especially cherished his years coaching Henry’s soccer team. Together father and son supported Charlotte FC, and rarely missed a game when global superstar Lionel Messi came to town.
Justin was proud to continue the Derrick family name in his beloved son. Henry not only looks like his father, but he also shares his dad’s love of music, sports and precious family traditions. The Derrick trio loved to spend their leisure time cooking and holding crab boils, reading and even practicing rainbow kicks. Togetherness was really all that mattered.
Justin is survived by his loving family: wife Julia; son Henry; mother Jan Smith and her husband Charlie; aunt Robin Snook and her husband Craig; step-aunt Phyllis Berkowitz and her husband Ira; bonus brother Micah Edmond; father Jimmy Derrick and his wife Laura; and multiple family members up and down the East Coast. He is predeceased by his stepfather, Alan Henry Whitten.
A service to celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. at Lake Forest Church in Huntersville. Visitation will follow.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/
James Funeral Home is assisting the family, online condolences may be made at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
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