| Graduation Year | Class of 1965 |
| Date of Passing | Feb 12, 1969 |
| About | died February 12, 1969, at the age of 21 years. He was killed in a truck accident in Louisiana on his way home to LaPorte, Texas, from a long haul trip to New Orleans. A logging truck pulled out in front of his 18 wheeler rig on Interstate 10 when Derrill was going 80 miles an hour. He could not stop and the logs went through the cab. He died doing what he loved to do…….driving a truck. Derrill and his Dad bought several big trucks and both were driving for Global Van Lines, moving military crates from the docks in New Orleans and Houston. Derrill and his wife, Sue (McGough) had one daughter, Carla Colleen Brantley, born March 24, 1966. He was very proud of his little blue eyed, blonde baby girl, who looks very much like him. He spent a lot of time taking care of her when he was home. He even changed her diapers! Carla now lives in Houston and has 3 children. As Sue was sharing her memories of Derrill, she states that he was a very kind, friendly and loving man. She also states that he was extremely intelligent. His IQ was around 150. This may have been a little known fact since he was not interested in school. She believes that if he had not died so young, he would have accomplished much. His family misses him very much and is proud of the heritage he left them |
