Glen Lawrence Derby


May 25, 1922 June 25, 2009


Glen was born on the Derby family farm just north of Kit Carson on May 25, 1922. He spent his elementary years at the small Mount Pearl School and graduated from Kit Carson High School in 1940. After high school he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which was part of President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal legislation designed to give relief to high unemployment stemming from the Great Depression. Even within months of his passing, Glen could point out areas along Highway 94 where he had worked on various conservation projects as a young man to reduce the effects of wind and water erosion on the eastern plains of Colorado. Like most young men of his day, Glen answered the call to serve his country in World War II. He joined the U.S. Army and put his mechanical interests to use in avionics. He was deployed to the South Pacific Theater, but was never involved in direct combat. After the war, an early job with the telephone company afforded Glen the opportunity to travel to several western states as a young man. He also joined his brother Keith for a brief entrepreneurial adventure in the California logging industry. He eventually returned home to Kit Carson where he worked for a time for the Union Pacific Railroad Company before becoming the town Water Superintendent and a long-time school bus driver for the Kit Carson School District.

In 1959 Glen married a young local woman, Barbara Ann Knudtson Derby. They were married 49 years before her passing in September of 2008. Together they raised three children: Karen Derby Nordquist, Kent Derby, and Dinah Derby Meyer.

Glens family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Kit Carson community for the love and support that they have expressed, during this time of grief and throughout the years. A few weeks before his passing, Glen realized that he could no longer live alone and tears formed in his eyes at the thought of not being able to return to this caring community of long-time friends. He was especially touched by the many thoughtful cards he received in honor of his 87th birthday, just one month to the day before he left this earth. Thank you again for the kindness that youve shown Glen, Barb and their children over the years. Were sorry that his colorful stories have come to an end but are so thankful for our rich heritage, rooted deeply in the eastern plains.

Glen is survived by a loving family including sister Mildred Clark of Golden, CO; brother Arthur (Joanne) Derby of Petaluma, CA; brother Paul (Marie) Derby of Worthington, MN; brother Louis Derby of Orlando, FL; daughter Karen (Charles) Nordquist of Kit Carson, CO; son Kent Derby of Aurora, CO; daughter Dinah (Kelley) Meyer of Colorado Springs, CO; granddaughter Carrie (Mike) Pickett of St. Petersburg, Russia; granddaughter Lori (Scott) Nyman and children Isaiah and Haniah of Cadillac, MI; granddaughter Amy Nordquist of Maui, HI; granddaughter Julie (Michael) Zimmerman of Haswell, CO; grandson John Nordquist of Gunnison, CO; granddaughter Edith Nordquist of Byers, CO; and sister-in-law Anna (Carl) Randel of Kit Carson, CO.

Glen was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Ann Derby; his parents George and Hilda Derby; brother Keith Derby; and sister Goldie Barnes.