Paul Andrew Derry

Paul Andrew Derry, age 70, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 6, 2026. He was born on January 11, 1956 to Arthur L. Derry and Shirley Younkin Derry in St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio. He was the middle child of three; his older brother, Michael S. Derry, preceded him into heaven in 2015, and his younger sister, TaRell Sue Derry, 62, resides in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. Paul is also survived by his wife, Julie Weston Derry (67), and their five children: Paul A. Derry II (42) and his wife, Mallory; Benjamin J. Derry (38) and his wife, Allison; Abigail B. Derry, (34); Melissa M. Draper (34) and her husband, Dale; Darien Joy Mosteller (30) and her husband, Jacob. He is also survived by his grandchildren- Bryce (21), Josylyn (19), Scarlett (17), Liam (14), Savannah (13), Parxin (8), Knixon (6), and Clayton (5).

As a Pastor’s son, Paul grew up in several small Ohio towns, with the majority of his childhood and teen years residing in Green Camp where his dad pastored Green Camp Baptist Church. He participated in Boy Scouts, Little League baseball, jr. high band, FFA, and high school football. As a young entrepreneur, he had a paper route, mowed yards, sold night crawlers, and shoveled snow. During his senior year he worked half days at Sears Automotive.

Paul married his high school sweetheart, Julie Weston, on July 22, 1977. He was employed by Marion Power Shovel for nearly 5 years, until Julie’s mother, suffering with cancer in Mt.Dora, FL, needed their care. They moved in with her parents and younger brother, Rick, in early 1980. After her mother passed a few weeks later, they continued to live with them for 8 months while working for Walt Disney World before moving to Orlando. Paul and Julie both worked at Fort Wilderness Campground. While Julie continued there 45 years, Paul left after 2 years, moving into a greenskeeper position at Cypress Creek Country Club. Later he worked in sales and as a painter with various companies until he became head greenskeeper for First Baptist Church of Orlando’s new campus (1985-1991) where they were members for 10 years.

As God blessed them with children, they both worked full-time and homeschooled the kids. Homeschooling led them to Circle Church for 4 years, then to Metro Life Church for 10 years, serving in various capacities in each. They both loved teaching Sunday School and serving on the worship teams. They were part of a church plant from Metro Life to Winter Garden, FL for another 10 years. During those years Paul owned and operated his own handyman business (25 years) and operated a soccer concession (15 years) with his family. After their children were grown, they moved their church membership to Church at the Cross, returning to their Baptist roots.

Throughout his life, Paul had a passion for the Lord and for people, especially the hurting, lonely, and marginalized. He loved introducing people to his loving Savior, very intentionally listening to and guiding conversations to the answers he had found in Jesus. He always loved music, especially worshipping in harmony with others. He was fun-loving and jovial, always with a joke or story to tell. As an encourager and exhorter, he was always ready to pray with people on the spot and he listened and followed the Holy Spirit’s leading when talking with them. He loved feeding people either from his big grill on wheels or in their home, often inviting those without a place for the holidays to join their family. One of his favorite holiday gatherings was a hog roast they hosted for several years in their neighborhood for July 4th with the purpose of outreach. He was honored to cater his nieces’ weddings with his famous steak-on-the-stick. He passed on his abilities to cook, host, fix everything, and connect with people on to his children. His dad passed on his love for the ocean to Paul; it was his favorite place in this world and he shared his love for fishing and shrimping with many, often using it as an outreach to others one-on-one.

Paul had a flair for the dramatic and enjoyed playing various characters in his life. From Zeus to Abraham to a big bumble bee in a play for kids at a church celebration, he was bigger than life. For several years he was the best real-beard Santa because he loved children and loved bringing them joy. He loved being able to use this ability to serve in a fellow church’s outreach in south Florida several years. One of his friends dubbed him “Jesus Santa” and that described him well.

After Paul’s love for Jesus, he loved his family with all his heart. His kids and grandkids became his whole world. They recently threw him a surprise birthday party for which many old friends were able to make the trip and he was so blessed by everyone’s love. All of our family has been so blessed by the outpouring of love and support we have received, and we’re freshly amazed by the great grace shown by our God in this season. We know He will remain faithful and lead us day by day from now until He calls us home.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in the chapel of Church at the Cross, 700 Good Homes Rd, Orlando, FL 32818 on Saturday, March 28. Visitation will begin at 2:30pm and the service at 3:00 pm. If you cannot attend, the service will also be livestreamed.