James R. Derrick

James R. Derrick

February 17, 1955 - December 17, 2021

James “Jim” R. Derrick, the 66 year old realtor, Civil War aficionado and beloved father of three, left this world for a better place on the evening of Friday, December 17th at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, PA. He passed peacefully surrounded by a few of his closest family members.

Born February 17th, 1955 in Harrisburg, PA, he was the son of late great real estate power couple, June (Grubb) and Stuard Derrick. He was the middle child of three brothers and was predeceased by his younger brother, Tom.

He is survived by his older brother, Stuard, and by his three children, James, William and Thomas, their mother, Nancy Stokes, his daughters-in-law, Mallory and Lauren, and his six grandchildren, Roman, Isla, Sloane, Theodore, Eleonora and Elias.

Jim graduated from Harrisburg Academy then Boston University with an undergraduate degree (and deep love) in history, which he pursued on a personal level throughout his life. He chose, however, to follow his family into the real estate business and then went on to work as a commercial loan officer. During his tenure as a banker, he moved his family to Waynesboro, PA, where he raised his children, and earned his MBA from Mount Saint Mary’s University. Later in his life he moved back to Camp Hill where he continued to work in real estate while also working part-time at Lowe’s in Mechanicsburg, which he loved.

Jim was a man of faith and avid reader of the Bible and history, particularly American history and politics. He loved to hike and chose the battlefields of Gettysburg as his favorite spot and place of internal and spiritual reflection. In doing so over many years he became an expert of the location on nearly every facet. He was a phenomenal cook, cigar connoisseur, had great style, a goofy but very witty sense of humor and an infectious laugh.

He was a reserved man and lived a remote lifestyle, but his departure from earth will be felt by many. He will be forever remembered by his family as a stoic, kind and patient man constantly in deep and critical thought.

There will be a brief service and burial at his gravesite on Tuesday, December 28th at 1:00PM in St. John’s Cemetery on the corner of Trindle Rd and St. John’s Church Rd in Mechanicsburg followed by a luncheon at Stock's Manor.

Kimmel Funeral Home, Harrisburg, is handling arrangements.