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Conway...Carl Julius "Big Jules" Derrick...On January 9, 2015, our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, coach, mentor and teacher finished the final quarter of his game of life and entered into his eternal and everlasting life. He passed away quietly at home after a short illness surrounded by his family. He began his amazing life on November 8, 1933, in Gilbert, South Carolina. He was the son of Sarah Bysinger Derrick and one of six children. He spent most of his young life at Epworth Children's Home after the death of his mother, where he excelled as an athlete and received a full scholarship to the University of South Carolina. He also received a scholarship for his sister who followed him there the next year. There he played football and was co-captain of the 57/58 team. It was while he was playing football that he met the love of his life, Polly Mishoe. After a three-month courtship, they married and enjoyed 58 years of marriage. He was drafted by the NY Giants, but was cut in the final round, and what became a blessing to many, he returned to Horry County to teach and coach. After being assistant coach to Buddy Sasser for some years, he took over as head coach for the Conway Tigers and coached the winning Tigers from 1971-1978. As coach, he headed up the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Conway High School and, for years carried many young men to the FCA National Conference in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He helped start the South Carolina FCA Conference in Horry County and helped sponsor and participate in the yearly state conference at the Garden City Chapel by the Sea for years, carrying many children to that conference. His true love in life was helping young boys and girls, as he was helped at Epworth by coaches and teachers he loved. In 1989, he started the Horry County Children's Mentoring Program and operated it with Polly. She was always by his side in every endeavor. He continued working in that program until his death. Throughout his life, he has been recognized locally and statewide for his many accomplishments. Some of which are: - 1998 recipient of the Order of the Palmetto - Conway Citizen of the Year - 1972 and 1975 Coach of the Year in 5A region - 1973 and 1975 Coach of the North/South All Star football team - 1999 Wall of Honor at Epworth Children's Home - Inductee in the S. C. Fellowship of Christian Athlete Hall of Fame - Citation for his work in Horry County Schools from the South Carolina Senate (1989) - Citation for his work in the Horry County Schools from the South Carolina House of Representatives (1989) - Service to Youth Award from Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Pee Dee area (1990 and 1992) - Sertoma Service to Mankind award (1992 and 1994) - 1995 Youth Leader of the Year award from the Conway Chamber of Commerce - 2000 Conway High School Retired Teacher of the Year - 2001 Distinguished Service Award - Rotary Club - 2009 Hall of Faith Award by South Carolina Fellowship of Christian Athletes If you ever asked him what his biggest accomplishment was, he would have told you that his children and their families were. He made a monumental investment of time and love towards his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When asked what he wanted to be called when his first grandchild was born, he said "Big Jules". He is survived by his wife, Polly. Big Jules has four children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: Julaan Derrick, her daughter, Ashton and her son Brody; Rhette Stanley and her husband, Rodney and children, Carley Stanley and Sage Savage and her husband, Matt and daughter, Mattie Jule; Dirk Derrick and his wife, Michelle, and their sons, Dakota and Peyton; Merinda Luse and her husband, Steve and their children, Jentry and her husband Charlie Childress, Stevie, Juan and Jennifer and her husband, Jerome Jacobson, and their sons, Benjamin and Eric, his brother, Cecil Harmon, his sister, Annette and her husband J.C. Smith and family, his sister, Willie Wingard; and his sister, Nell and her husband, William Berry, and their family. His sister, Sarah, is deceased. Julius (Big Jules) will be missed by many. In addition to all his work with children, he loved to write poems and short stories about his life. He raised money for FCA by writing inspired poems such as: You are running now your race of life Whatever distance set the pace This is the final race you know There is no practice given So set your pace to win the race The finish line is heaven. He has run his final race and crossed the finish line. The family will celebrate his life on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 1:30 PM at Conway High School auditorium, where he was a founding member of The Rock church that meets there regularly. The family will receive friends in the Commons at Conway High School after the service. Entombment will be private. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Children???s Mentoring Program of Horry County at 1422 Fourth Avenue, Conway, South Carolina 29526. The family thanks all of you who have been praying for our family. Please sign a guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com

Tributes

Carl Derrick

November 8, 1933 - January 9, 2015