Derald G. Brocksmith - Online Memorial Website

Derald,
    You have always had a special place in my heart.  I am not sure if it was those early morning rides when you took Mom to work and I  rode along because I knew you would stop at the 'Small Fry'.   I am sure it was great for you being seen with your 7 year old sister! Or the time when Grandma Brocksmith died and you bought my first pair of high heels! I knew if I ever needed anything you were there.  You could always be depended upon no matter what.  If I called and said I needed you, you were there.  I love you very much and miss you.  I know that you are happy being with Jerry and Dad, and  Mom and Roy are not bad either.  I am happy that you know the gospel is true and I  know without a doubt we will be together forever.  Love you forever, Vic

I have many fond memories of my Uncle Derald, who always made it possible for me to spend time with my Quincy cousins by letting me stay for stretches of time in the summer, taking me along on family outings to the county fair or amusement parks, and driving to meet my parents half way between Quincy and Kansas City to exchange kids. He was always very kind and generous with me, treating me like a daughter when I was in his care. I remember getting a large, painful splinter in my foot on one visit - Derald took me to the hospital to have it taken out. He was up early and on the road working before most people had even thought about getting out of bed. I always admired that about him. He always knew what he was doing. He took his responsibilities seriously while also enjoying life. He stopped to admire the flowers in Paula's garden, for example, and he was a fixture at every family event. Because of distance, I did not see him very often, but I will miss him.

Dad, I remember like it was yesterday when we were camping in our first pull-behind camper, you know the one that anyone else would have been embarrased to pull-behind their car, the wind and rain came, the canvas top came down, we all woke up scared to death and dad said "Let's fix some hot tang".  We drank the hot tang you fixed, you fixed the torn and tattered tent, we all crawled back in our sleeping bags and we went back to sleep.  Thank you for that dad!  I love you.