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Devin Corkrum
Derby |
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Devin Corkrum Derby, grandson of Walla Walla Valley pioneer Corkrum family, passed away at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Monday, December 13, 2004 following a single vehicle accident November 28, 2004 on the Middle Waitsburg Road. Devin was born July 8, 1957 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Walla Walla. His great-great grandfather, Francis Marion Corkrum arrived in Walla Walla, Washington Territory in September of 1865, homesteading on Spring Branch. His great grandfather, Uriah Corkrum, purchased the land in Spring Valley in the early 1900’s which was farmed in wheat through his lifetime, and the lifetime of Devin’s grandparents Frederick and Nina Lee Corkrum. Devin left the ranch at age 4 with his parents Shari Corkrum Derby and Dean Derby, and sister DeAnn, to be raised in St. Paul, Minnesota during and following Dean’s professional football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings. God gave Devin many tangible gifts- photographer, scenic painter in the film industry, and a skill for building, which left his signature everywhere you look at the ranch. While working as a free-lance photographer in Minneapolis he met his wife, Mary. Devin pursued his career in photography in the San Francisco area, branching out into the film industry, then moved to Chicago in 1997 where he continued in the film industry. He also discovered Aikido, a peaceful martial art form that he practiced with a passion. In September of 2000 Devin became the father of Simon Corkrum Derby and the family moved back to Walla Walla. Devin then returned to his first love, agriculture, and flourished as the Winery Manager and Winemaker for Spring Valley Vineyard. Devin loved the ranch in Spring Valley- the land and his heritage. He had found his calling in agriculture, in the vineyard and winemaking, dedicating himself to perfecting the gifts God had given him with an intense and huge work ethic for everything he did. A man of great compassion, Devin was always ready to help family, friends, strangers and his community. His nieces and nephew remember him especially for the times he spent helping and teaching them about horses, trap shooting, 4th of July fireworks, the vineyard, the winery, the land, and the ranch. Devin’s widow, Mary, and son Simon Corkrum Derby continue to live in Walla Walla. He continues to be remembered by his daughter Chloe Eloise Derby of St. Paul, MN; his parents Dean and Shari Derby of Walla Walla; sister DeAnn Derby Elvin, brother-in-law Richard Elvin; niece Britni Lynn Elvin and nephew Andrew Derby Elvin, all of St. Paul; niece Katherine Derby Raymond and her husband, Tyson, of Helix, OR; uncles Al Derby of Spokane and Gaynor Derby of Walla Walla; and special cousins Jeff Heimbigner of Seattle and Lynn and Lance Derby of Spokane. Devin will be missed forever in this place by his many family and friends. During your next tasting at the Ranch, visit the memorial garden dedicated to those that came before, and in particular to Devin.
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