Derek Hawley Timeline, Legacy & History

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Timeline

1977

Born in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 18, 1977. Derek was our first child. He had a brother and sister from his dad. Derek's middle name is Rayburn, after my father. He didn't want to breathe right after his birth so Dr. Hale helped him. He weighed 6 pounds 12 ozs. He was so beautiful to us even though most babies do kind of look like old little people. I think it is because of lack of hair/teeth and probably because they squint so much because it is light! I made so many mistakes as a new mother but I also knew what it was to totally have an undying love and to feel defined. I was not just my parents second daughter, a second wife, I was Derek's MOM!

1977

Derek was a fussy baby but I learned taking a bath with him every night and swishing him back and forth in the water, which he loved, helped him greatly.

Derek had his blue quilt I made while I was in college, still have it. He also had a little brown bear my grandmother bought him that played Jack and Jill.

Derek's slept in with us the first few months of his life and then in his own room across the hall. we left the doors open but put a screen door on his door to keep our two cats, Harley and Kitton, out of his room. He slept in the cradle until he was about 5 months old and then we bought a used crib but new yellow mattress from Sears.

My father-in-law, Raymond Taylor, made a beautiful, large, cradle! Like no other. It sits on it's own stand.

1977

We had his bedroom painted yellow with pale green trim. I had gotten a blanket that had a little Holly Hobbie type girl, little boy, duck, and bear. With my husband's help and my father-in-law's jig saw, I drew copies of those 4 things in two sizes. We cut them out and I painted them to match the blanket. We put the four large ones on his closet door. Our first house we bought, the previous owners left a 4 door dresser. I painted it the same color as the cradle and a rocker. I glued the 4 smaller ones on the drawers. I guess that was my creative moment when I was preparing for my first child. We still have the dresser, cradle, and the rocker (but the rocker does need to be repaired. It has not done so well in the many moves).

1977 ~ 1979

With Derek being a fairly sickly child, he also was very sensitive to heat in Arizona. I would take him outside for just a few moments and he would break out with a heat rash. I also could only put white cotton socks on him because anything else would give him a rash.

We later found out he was born with only one kidney. He had his tonsils and adenoids removed just before he turned 3. He was always getting bronchial pneumonia. During one visit to my parents in California, he was so ill we took him to see the pediatrician I worked for when I didn't know I was pregnant, Dr. Peyton. He told us to have his tonsils and adenoids removed as soon as we were able to travel back to Texas. The Texas doctor didn't think it was necessary but I insisted because I felt Dr. Peyton was the best doctor I ever knew and still feel that way. After the surgery, the doctor came out and told us that and his adenoids were so huge that he was only able to breathe out of his nose through a teeny hole on one side so he was a mouth breather. That explained why he would have his tongue on the edge of the cup when he would drink. I thank God for Dr. Wayne G. Peyton!

1977 ~ 2001

Will write more later about his life, siblings he loved to torment in a fun way. As it is with siblings, "It's okay for me to be mean to them but NO ONE ELSE better hurt them!" They all are loved, sensitive, loving, have values, honest, wonderful, and still ornery babies. Derek's life could not be told without my daughter forever, Jen, Derek's wife,.....

I do want to say there were a few things that happened in 2001. First, Derek found out his favorite teacher and the only one who cared about him, had gotten shot and died. It destroyed Derek that he didn't get to tell that teacher how much he appreciated him. He also was the teacher who tried to breathe life back into the precious friend of Stacey's. Her name is Breann. Breann died of asthma. Breann also had a little brother, Jesse, who died a few years before Derek because he had a brain stem tumor. That also was devastating to Derek.

Derek had an emergency surgery. The company he worked for did not have insurance for him.

There was also a car accident and other medical bills along with a totaled car.

Health problems followed our family. We went to try to get help from the county. He was told, "because you are white and have no children, we can't help you." That was the end. He had many thousands of hospital/doctor bills and was harassed and threatened to pay them. He would of if he could of.

He worked his butt off doing more jobs than anyone else but he saw less capable guys get the big raises because they had children. Derek would have loved to be a daddy but no insurance, couldn't afford a doctor or the medicine, he felt he failed. He thought that by leaving, it would take those burdens off of others.

We seem to continue to live his life...

I LOVE AND MISS YOU DEREK!!!

December 2005

I hope when I finally get more added, you will check back and get to know my baby, my firstborn, my Derek, and hopefully you also will love and remember him too. All my children are wonderful, a bit ornery at times, but they are more valuable to me than anything! I always said I would give my own life for my babies and that horrible June night, while driving home, I prayed for God to take me instead. He did not, I didn't know it was already too late so I am still here and plan on staying here for my other loved ones and to remind others that even though my son is now a real Angel, he still is very much a part of all of us, always will be a part of who we are, and will never be forgotten!

Peaceful Holidays

I pray

2006 brings peace!

2001

Passed away on

June 27, 2001

at the age of 24.

2008 November

I do not understand why life continues to throw our lives in such termoil. No jobs, health problems, living apart again. The best news is that we had two new granddaughters born. May 17, Delilah (day before Derek's birthday), and July 11, Natalie. We were blessed with beauties!

Ending 2008 jobless and losing so many things we treasured is hard. If we make it to 2009, we have to have hope for a better life. This one sucks right now. This is the 4th time since 2001 that we have been broke and unable to make ends meet. There is no bailout for us! As long as the rest of our family stays, it will be better.

I do hope everyone feels comfort and hope for 2009!

If you have any material to add to this section, please contact the website manager. If you are the website manager, you can enter edit mode to change the timeline by clicking here.

Bring the memories home by publishing your online memorial as a genuine hardcover keepsake

This memorial website was created by Shirley Hawley on 09/05/2005.
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Photo Album

Derek ~ Wanting to follow in his dad's footsteps even at 2!

Derek ~ My first Prince!

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Sponsorship

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Audio & Video

	ForDerek2 Written by Scott for his big brother. Not to be copied without consent.
	(Click to play)
	For Derek by his little brother, Scott. Can't be copied without consent.
	(Click to play)
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Memorial Candles

	Mommy Of You lit a candle on 08/20/2009: "I am in Arizona and of course, I think of my baby boy. I LOVE YOU!!!"

	Lillian Thompson lit a candle on 06/21/2009: "~I love you Uncle Daddy ( Derek ) and I always will.~"

	Faye Hawley lit a candle on 05/30/2009: "My heart goes out to u Shirley it's a long & horrible journey we now take. No parent should have to bury a child."

	KATHY MATHIS lit a candle on 05/18/2009: "Always in my heart."

	Mom~Nammey Proud, Loving Mom lit a candle on 02/26/2009: "D~We are in NM together. Still missing & loving you!XOXOXOXOXOXOXO"

	Laura lit a candle on 12/30/2008: "I light a candle in your memory! May you rest in peace and always in your family's hearts!"

	Colleen Jacques lit a candle on 12/15/2008: "What a precious young man! I loved his note thanking you with coffee. I know you were a wonderful mom to Derek."

	Arline Marla's Mom lit a candle on 11/23/2008: "My heart goes out to you and your family. Derek is such a handsome young man. I ache for all of us."

	Mom And Nammey lit a candle on 10/31/2008: "Happy Halloween! I know U loved to dress up & have fun. I still remember when you & Jen weren't allowed in Denny's. BOO!"

	Barbara Mckee lit a candle on 10/30/2008: "We have a lot in comman,I too was born in 1954 and son hanged hisself too. My prayers and thought are with you 'all"

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