Derek James Minnis

Derek was born to Beverly and Gordon Minnis in Moses Lake, Wash. He spent his childhood in Moses Lake and graduated from MLHS class of 2000. Derek was a seven-time letterman in wrestling, football and track.

He entered the U.S. Army on Jan. 18, 2001 and served from 2001 to 2009 which included three tours in Iraq as a transportation specialist with the 101st Airborne. From 2009 to 2013 he served in the Army Reserves in Spokane, Wash.

In 2007 Derek met Ana Sigua in the Philippines and she stole his heart. They married in 2008. They had two children: Josh, 12 and Audrey, 5.

Derek worked at Takata for one year then became a corrections officer at Coyote Ridge Correctional Facility in Connell, Wash. He was continuing his education with Liberty University.

Derek loved his family and life. He loved Thanksgiving, to BBQ, travel, Judo and fishing.

Derek will be remembered by his smile, contagious laugh and jokes.

Derek was survived by his wife Ana Minnis; children Josh and Audrey; mother Beverly Minnis; father Gordon Minnis; sister Torey (Jason) Yates; nephew Jadon;, nieces Kimberly, Shay, Emily and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins and many many friends.

He was preceded in death by two great-grandmothers, three grandfathers a grandmother and two uncles.

Services will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016 at Our Lady Fatima Catholic Church, 200 Dale Rd, Moses Lake, Wash. Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 a.m. followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. An Honor Guard will follow services with a luncheon and slide show immediately after.