In Loving Memory of Derek Ronald Stamps
Derek Ronald Stamps was born January 12, 1971 in Santa Rosa, CA. He spent his early childhood in Colorado where he learned to love the mountains. Derek learned to ski at 6 years old and looked forward to ski trips with his family. He caught his first fish, approximately a 7 pound rainbow trout at Nederlands Reservoir. It was so big it would not all fit in the pan to be cooked. Derek became an avid outdoor fan. He went hiking and camping with his family regularly in the Rocky Mountains.
Derek and his family moved to Willits CA in 1980 where his father grew up. This way the family could be closer to extended families of grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles in Mendocino and Lake Counties.
Derek started attending school in Willits at Baechtel Grove School where he became involved with pop warner football. He continued his love for sports during his high school years at Willits High School through JV and Varsity Football. Derek was a lifelong Denver Broncos Fan. Derek also became involved in BMX bike racing. He competed in local events around Mendocino and Lake Counties. Derek also found a love for motorcycles. His first motorcycle was a Suzuki 150. He enjoyed riding through the local mountain areas with his friends. Derek graduated from Willits High School in 1989.
During his early twenties, he explored different types of jobs. He worked for several companies including Davey Tree, Ukiah Construction, traveled to Las Vegas to work on cooling towers, and worked as a mechanic for various trucking companies in the Willits area. Derek ultimately settled on a career with small engine repair and generator service. Derek provided generator support for many of the local agricultural community. One of his unique business model objectives was to provide service for off grid remote customers that would otherwise not have service and repair support. He began his business out of the back of his pickup truck utilizing a storage unit for spare parts and repair. Eventually his business grew to repair motorcycles, off road vehicles and generators in a 5000 sq ft shop.
In October 2021 Derek was diagnosed with stage 4 T-cell Lymphoma. He had not been feeling well for a few months. Ultimately, after a fierce but unsuccessful battle, Derek decided to spend his final days at home with his immediate family. Derek was surrounded with love and support during his final hours of July 11, 2022 as his parents, sisters, brothers-in-law, nephews and best friend Luke and best girl Sabrina gathered around him to share memories and precious time.
Derek is survived by his parents, Charles “Ron” Stamps & Joyce Stamps. His three sisters, Tanya (Greg) Musgrave, Michelle (Michael) McCaffrey, Alicia (Gage) Stamps-Haneir, his three nephews Devin, Owen, & Cedar, his aunts and numerous cousins.
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, August 6 at the Willits City Park at 10:30am. All Derek’s friends and family are invited to attend. We encourage anyone who is interested in sharing more time with the family to join us at Derek’s family residence following the celebration of life. The family welcomes a pot-luck style gathering of appetizers and snack food to share with others who are in attendance.
Published by Ukiah Daily Journal on Jul. 16, 2022.