Derrick Allen Johnson was born July 6, 1994, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Lawrence David “Bear” Johnson, Jr. and Kristy Johnson Bitar.

Derrick was a 2013 Sallisaw High School graduate. He attended Carl Albert State College.

One of Derrick’s happiest times in life was playing Black Diamond football. He started youth league in third grade for coaches Tim Blount, Brian Wilson, and Matt Morris and continued through high school for coaches Craig Benson, Louis Walkingstick, and staff. These men were heroes to Derrick. His parents wholeheartedly supported him and were active in all booster clubs.

Derrick appreciated his employment opportunities with Sallisaw Lumber, McGowan’s Tree Service, C and J Forms and Label Co. with Damon Harris, and Gary and Emily Crum’s Air-Con. He was a respectful employee and honored his employers.

When Derrick was a toddler, Bear would jokingly say, “We don’t need to worry about anyone abducting our boy because he would be screaming “Mommy! Mommy!”

At the age of six and a half, he watched the movie, Left Behind with his church family, and asked Jesus into his heart. He was baptized by Pastor Ken Macken in Dr. Bob and Leann Well’s pool.

Derrick loved his family and told them often. He would always say, “I’m a Mama’s boy.”

Derrick loved to fish. His mama taught him how. He fished with anyone who would take him, his dad, grandpa, and many of his friends. He left many notes for his parents, “I’m at Sallisaw Creek fishing!”

His maternal grandparents were very important in his life. At the time of Derrick’s death, he lived with and cared for his paternal “Grandpa” Lawrence “Larry” David Johnson Sr.

The family preceding Derrick in joining the Lord are maternal grandmother Paula Pearson Johnson, maternal great-grandmother Billie “Gigi” Ramsey, maternal uncle William Tarrant, paternal grandmother Myrna Martina Story, and paternal aunt Leslie Johnson.

Derrick’s departure comes as a great shock and a deep wound felt by his family.

He was a wonderful daddy and is survived by his precious young daughters, Aaliyah Lynn Johnson, and Alyvia Jean Johnson and their mother Sydney Shell.  He is also survived by his mother, Kristy; his dad, Bear and Angela Davis; grandfather, Larry Johnson; maternal uncles, John Watson, Rick Lunsford, Sallisaw, Sam Bitar, California; paternal aunts Audrey Johnson, Texas and Kim Crider, California, cousins Coury Lunsford Tucker, Allison Lawson, Reno and Kevin Blum, and many friends.

As we struggle with the loss of Derrick’s physical presence, we find solace in knowing Derrick gave in death, the gift of life through his donation through ARORA, Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency.

The family will be at visitation Thursday, October 31, 6-8 PM in the Sequoyah Memorial Chapel of Forever Memories Funeral Services in Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

Services will be at Immanuel Baptist Church, Sallisaw, Oklahoma, 10:00 AM Friday, November 1, 2024. His final resting place will be Sallisaw Cemetery. 

The family has placed their trust in the caring hands of Forever Memories Funeral Services, INC, Sallisaw, Oklahoma, with the funeral arrangements.