Roll Call Tribute

Brian Conrad Derx
March 29, 1947 - September 17, 2022

Brian Derx, dedicated husband, father of three and friend of many passed away on September 17, 2022 at the age of 75 in Houston. 

Brian Derx was born on March 29, 1947 to Hardy and Elizabeth Derx in Yonkers, New York. Saying Brian's childhood school was small would be an understatement. Brian entered kindergarten on one side of the school building and graduated from high school on the other side. When most boys his age wanted a car, Brian chose to take to the skies and obtained his pilot's license.

Upon completing high school, Brian was accepted to Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Brian joined the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and was proud to earn his senior boots, which were custom made to fit the cadet's feet. Cadets ordered their boots their freshman year and waited four years before receiving this rite of passage. Brian graduated as the loudest, proudest member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 1969, Whoop! Even after graduating, per tradition, Brian would still diligently kiss his wife every time A&M scored in a football game, which unfortunately for Brian, was sometimes not as often as he'd like.

Strategically, since the military was knocking at his door, Brian decided to spend the next two years working on his Master's in Education at Texas A&M "to postpone a job assignment in East Asia." Upon completing his master's degree, Brian entered the Army as a Second Lieutenant where he trained to fly helicopters. Brian was stationed in Germany where he met Patricia, who was teaching military dependents. Brian often joked that he waited his turn to date Patricia, but once he did, he was smart enough to marry her. Brian and Patricia often reflected on the memories and love that was formed while they traveled across Europe while stationed with the military.

Following a change in his Army service, which discontinued Brian being able to fly helicopters, Brian resigned to civilian life and moved to Austin, Texas where he joined Prudential Bache Securities firm. He moved up in his field and received a promotion to assistant manager, but this came with a move to Houston, while Patricia and the children were in Austin. Being the dedicated husband and father that he was, Brian drove between Houston and Austin on the weekends for months until the family moved to Houston. Brian worked for two brokers that dealt with the futures market and retired from Wells Fargo Securities.

Brian's passion was providing for his family, his belief in God and HAM radio. He raised three children, Justin, Karen, and Ian, reinforcing the values that his parents taught him. He was involved in his children's lives by participating in Boy Scouts with Justin and Ian, and he had daddy daughter dates with Karen to the Houston Aero's hockey games. Although he came close, Brian couldn't quite get any of his children to graduate from A&M, but he did pass on his value for education, as all three children received bachelor's degrees from their respective universities.

Every Thursday you could find Brian and Patricia enjoying breakfast with their church group from Houston Northwest Church. Brian was described as a welcoming and inclusive member of the church who enjoyed the Fellowship class and even taught some classes. Brian was a man of Faith and strongly valued his relationship with God and his fellowship with his church.

Brian had a passion for HAM radio and got his radio license when he was fifteen years old. Growing up, Brian's parents let him string an antenna in their attic at his house. Later, Brian would make his HAM radio dreams come true and erect an 80-foot antenna in his Houston backyard, the envy of many HAM radio operators. Brian enjoyed talking to other HAMS across the world and would master the Morse code and became an avid HAM radio keyer.

Anybody that knew Brian knows he had a unique sense of humor. Whether he was sharing an article he felt was witty, or giving an exaggerated facial expression, Brian brought laughter and joy to people's lives. Whenever Brian got together with his brothers, it was obvious there was a Derx sense of humor that was inherited and passed on through the generations. A little bit of this humor was fortunately, or unfortunately, passed on to his children.

Brian was preceeded in death by his father, Hardy Derx, and his mother, Elizabeth Derx.

He is survived by his wife Patricia; his son, Justin Derx; his daughter, Karen Derx; his son Ian Derx and wife Jessica; his brothers Theron Derx and wife Mary; Hallam Derx and wife Marie; and his beloved dog Ladybug.

We may never know for sure how many Aggies it takes to change a light bulb... Brian, you will be missed.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on 10/24/2022 at Houston Northwest Church: 19911 TX-249, Houston, TX 77070. Following the memorial service, a veteran service will be held at 12:30 p.m. at Houston National Cemetery: 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider donations to:

Young Life: https://younglife.org/give/ or to

Kansas Specialty Dog: https://donate.givedirect.org/?cid=373&n=168388