Jan. 9, 1935-Oct. 17, 2023
Thales (Tad) Alfred Derrick, aged 88, of St. George, Utah, passed away on Oct. 17, 2023, in St. George. He was born on Jan. 9, 1935, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Thales Matthew Derrick and Harriett Ann Clark.
Tad was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, and as a young boy, he had a deep love for cars, airplanes and his family. Throughout his life, he restored dozens of cars and cherished spending time in the mountains, hunting and fishing, first with his older siblings and later with his children and grandchildren. Thales had to start working at a service station as a teenager to support his mother. He graduated from South High School in Salt Lake and attended the University of Utah for a year before enlisting in the Air Force. After a year and a half as an enlisted man, he was accepted into the Aviation Cadets, where he graduated first in his class, received a commission as an officer and earned his wings.
On March 7, 1959, he married Willa Nita Brooks in the St. George Temple. Before their marriage, Tad informed Willa that he would send money to his mother every month, a promise faithfully kept until his mother’s passing. He attended night school while serving in the Air Force and the church. Tad graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in psychology. He later received a master’s in systems management from the University of Southern California. His priorities in life were the Lord, his wife, his family, his country, flying airplanes and fast cars.
During his 20-year service as a fighter pilot in the Air Force, he was stationed in Arizona, England, New Mexico, Korea, Hawaii, Alabama, and Las Vegas. Tad was an Air Force Command Pilot with over 3,500 flying hours, including 129 combat missions in Vietnam. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and five Air Medals and was a fighter tactics specialist at the Air Force Top Gun School. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and authored the Air Force Fighter Tactics Manual. While in the Air Force, Thales served twice as an LDS Branch President and Servicemen’s Group Leader. He was a Distinguished Graduate of Air Command and Staff College. In 2022, he received the University of Utah’s Distinguished Veteran Award.
After retiring from the Air Force, Tad owned and operated several small businesses. He also had an impactful career at Dixie College as the dean of Instructional Support Services and later as the associate director of Institutional Advancement, where he secured endowments and land for the school’s expansion. Tad was a crucial figure in Dixie College achieving university status and was inducted into the Dixie State University Hall of Fame.
Tad was a devout disciple of Jesus Christ, and church service was central to his life. He consistently consecrated his time and served as an Elder’s Quorum President, Branch President, Bishop and Stake President. Tad and Willa presided as Mission Leaders over the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission and served as Visitor Center Directors at the Los Angeles Temple Visitors Center.
Tad was a dedicated keeper of records and wrote several family histories, including his own, his son David’s, his parents’ and his great-grandfather’s. Tad had many obligations and responsibilities but consistently prioritized children and grandchildren. He always attended a ballgame, performance, or concert. His grandchildren loved Grandpa Derrick. They fondly remember airplane rides, playing blocks and his constant love and counsel. He was consistent in everything that matters the most and lasts the longest.
His son David Thales Derrick (Kristen) preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Willa Nita (Brooks) Derrick and their children Daniel Derrick (Madelyn), Dennis Derrick (Cyndi), Dana Moody (Russ), and Douglas Derrick (Carrie). Additionally, he is survived by 23 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the St. George Stake Center at 500 North 591 West, St. George, Utah. A viewing will occur from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, at the Metcalf Mortuary at 288 W St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah, and from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center. The interment will be in the St. George Cemetery.
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Interment with Military Honors will follow services in the St. George Cemetery located at 600 East Tabernacle St.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.