Thomas Derrick

ATHENS — Thomas Clayborne "Clay" Derrick, 53, a devoted husband, father, brother, son and "bapaw" passed away Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, in Charleston, Tenn. He was born in Bradley County, Tenn., lifelong resident of McMinn County, Tenn., a son of the late James Morris and Martha Jo McClure Derrick and preceded in death by sister, Pamela Sue Derrick Ledford and father-in-law, Dennis Campbell. He attended Central Baptist Church and was an employee of Resolute Forrest Product (Bowater Paper Co.) for 34 years where he was on the Emergency Response Team and was a member of the HAZMAT of McMinn County. He was a member of The Goodfellows. He was an avid deer hunter. Wife of 24 years, Michele Denise Derrick, of Athens, Tenn.; son, Blake Derrick, of Seymour, Tenn.; daughter, English Derrick, of Athens, Tenn.; sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and John Allen, of Riceville, Tenn.; mother-in-law, Debbie Campbell, of Niota, Tenn., granddaughter, Harper Kate "Pookie" Derrick; niece, Angela Allen and nephew, John Allen Jr. Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Bernard officiating. Interment will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Foster Cemetery. Active pallbearers Coy Harbison, David Rountree, Jeremy Rountree, Chris Pickel, Jeff Parris, and Jeff Kelsey. Honorary pallbearers will be the ERT of Bowater. The family will recieve friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Those unable to attend may send condolences at www.laycock-hobbs.com Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens, Tenn., in charge of arrangements.