Mr. Derek Andrew Clark

Derek Andrew Clark, 41, passed away unexpectedly on May 21, 2024 at his home in Apopka, Florida. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Decatur, Illinois. Derek was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, Illinois on April 24, 1983. Derek was a standout athlete and student as a child. He played football, basketball, and baseball in his youth. Derek attended Douglas MacArthur High School and played all four years on the football team. Derek graduated in 2000 before studying at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Derek met his future wife Ragan Chenoweth in 2003. Derek and Ragan were married on April 11, 2008. He and Ragan have three children: Jaylin (Bone), Luca, and Skyler. Derek worked at ADM in Decatur before following his and Ragan’s dream of living in Florida. He and his family moved to Orlando in 2016, and settled in Apopka in 2019. Derek worked for Sherwin Williams. Derek was intelligent, quick-witted, playfully sarcastic, kind natured, and a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. Derek is survived by his wife Ragan (nee Chenoweth); his children Jaylin Bone (21), Luca (18), and Skyler (14); his mother and stepfather Sara and Timothy Hamilton (Decatur, Illinois); his father Brian Clark; and his seven siblings: Ashley Hamilton, Graham Hamilton, Daley Collins (Adam), Rachel Janes (Jake), Elliott Hamilton (Kat), Leslie Hamilton, and Niles Hamilton. Derek will be greatly missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends, his childhood friend Matt Michel, his three dogs, and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him during his life.

Derek was preceded in death by his grandparents Curtis and Juanita Clark, Alfred and Norma Kiessel, and William and Barbara Hamilton. Derek’s greatest accomplishment in life was being a loving husband and father. He loved and adored his beautiful wife and children more than anything in this world, and he will forever be missed. Until we all meet again, our hearts will ache.