James Calvin Derryberry Sr

05/05/2004

James Calvin Derryberry Sr., 85, of Monterey Road died Wednesday morning at Northampton Veterans Medical Center. He had moved to Otis in 1997. Born in Altus, Okla., on May 31, 1918, son of Elbert Audie and Willa Ella Hornsby Derryberry, he graduated from Altus High School and from Oklahoma Baptist University. An Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he served as a B-29 pilot and continued in the reserves after the war. He moved to Shreveport, La., in 1953 and worked for Industrial Steel Products Co. Inc., retiring in 1980 as chief draftsman. He moved to Little Rock, Ark., and stayed there for three years, then moved to Springfield in 1994. A longtime member of the American Legion, he was also a member of the Elks Club in Arkansas and the Otis Council on Aging. He was a former member of the Elks Club in Louisiana. He enjoyed sports and watching birds and other wildlife from his home in Otis. His wife, the former Grace Lanter, died April 12, 1984. He leaves a son, John E. Derryberry of Austin, Texas; a daughter, Susan L. Derryberry of Otis; a sister, Dorothy Zettler of Ashfork, Ariz., a grandson and two great-grandchildren. Another son, James C. Derryberry Jr., died March 2, 1996. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 8, at 3 at the KELLY FUNERAL HOME in Lee with Chaplain David Whiteley from the VA Hospital officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 until the time of the service. A graveside service will be held at Centurties Memorial Cemetery in Shreveport, La., at a later date. James C. Derryberry is survived by his grandson, James C. "Jamey" Derryberry III and his wife, Erika, and his great-grandchildren, Katherine Grace and Spencer James Derryberry, all of Fisco, Texas; also a brother-in-law, Harold Zettler of Ashfork, Ariz. Friends wishing may make donations to the Lee Regional Visiting Nurses Association or to Meals on Wheels in care of the funeral home. He was predeceased by his brother, Elbert Audie Derryberry Jr.

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