Douglas Alan DeRose

Last Sunday a good family friend and brother in Christ Doug Derose passed away After fighting the good fight, finishing his race and keeping the faith, Doug went on to receive his crown of righteousness. Although we are happy for his gain we are sorry for our loss. As the Apostle Paul said: “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) I first met Doug along with his wife Genny and their rather large family back in Traverse City when I had just become a Christian. Even though there was a church much closer to their home I was very impressed by the fact that they drove some eighty miles to come and worship with us simply because they had such a close relationship with the church there. Doug was a man large in stature and he would unfold himself from the driver seat of the jam packed minivan full of children. Once out he would proudly proclaim, “she’s only got 278,000 miles on her and plenty more trips to church and back in her!” Once while I was still in college studying for the ministry I and a couple of other ministry students held a gospel meeting at the Summit church of Christ which was the Derose family’s home church. They invited me to stay with them for the weekend. We split and stacked wood together and had fun doing it. We sat around in their living room raising the roof singing songs of praise to our Great Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. We attended the gospel meeting together digging deep into God’s Word and of course we enjoyed some of the best cooking ever. It was a weekend that none of us will forget. Since then I moved to Marquette and they moved to Kentucky. Their children are all grown up now and moved out of the house, yet just a few years ago some of the family came and visited us in Marquette. They had bought a motor home and were on vacation. Doug jovially declared that we were right on the way even though it was actually hundreds of miles out of their way. Wouldn’t you know it, that Sunday afternoon we were having a picnic and congregational singing at Presque Isle Park. The Derose family joined us. Doug instilled in his family the importance of fellowshipping together with brothers and sisters in Christ and they are still doing so today. It didn’t matter how far they had to drive either, if the Body of Christ was assembling they were going to be there. What a great example and testament to this wonderful brother in Christ. I feel privileged to have known him. Love, Jim Larsen (J.L.)

Just found out from our good friend and classmate (Hal) that Doug passed away. My deepest sympathies to Doug's family. Although I have not spoken to Doug for several years, I remember his voice and his kind ways. I will not be able to make the funeral but my thoughts and prayers will be with his family and friends.

Classmate and Friend, Randy S. Hyrns.

Doug was a supper good employee for me (Rob Gauthier) for many years. Hard worker and was not afraid to talk about Jesus. Very bold strong Christian man. Heaven has gained and we have all lost a little. Life for us here will go on and nobody can ever take away our wonderful memories of Doug. He was my "yes I can do that" man. He was a very close friend. I got to stop by last year to see him and his wife. Had a very good visit with him and Jenny. I have many wonderful memories of Doug, which I treasure.
I will be looking forward to seeing him in heaven someday.

May God bless the entire Derose family

Rob and Carol Gauthier

Doug was a great man and a wonderful example for me. I appreciated his dedication and faithfulness to the church as well as to his fellow man. Doug will be sincerely missed and my prayers and well-wishes are with his family and friends at this most difficult time.