On Friday, November 7, 2025, Derek passed at home, surrounded by the love of family, the majestic views of the Canadian Rockies and a wide-open blue sky. Derek passed as he lived, with intention and peace.

Derek’s passing feels less like an ending and more like a pivot – a transition from this world to another. His final months were spent in deep reflection, enveloped by love and light from friends, family and healers across the globe. He felt such profound gratitude and reverence for his beautiful life. His wife, Tamara, his son Tai, and daughter Mia walked every step of his journey with purpose, love and presence.

Derek was a Chiropractor, a healer, a coach, an avid sports fan, and a dear friend. The roles he cherished most, and lived with great devotion, were those of a spouse, dad, uncle, son, brother and friend.

Derek and Tamara’s love was a joy to watch. Their time together was full of laughter, wide open arms and absolute magic. Yearly, they celebrated their anniversary on Salt Spring Island at Ruckle Park with Tai and Mia overlooking the ocean, dancing under the stars, watching the eagles soar and celebrating their deep devotion and connection to each other. They were role models of how to love deeply.

Derek was beyond proud of his children, Tai and Mia, and he poured his love, time and energy into them. He has left them the legacy of his love. He modeled integrity, patience, loyalty, mastery, a love of learning, play, deep respect and honor for oneself, others, and the earth. He poured his heart into parenting and sharing his passion for life, sport and community. He coached Tai and Mia throughout their lives in volleyball, soccer, basketball and baseball. He shared fully with them every step of their lives. He was proud of their character, strength and how they walk in the world.

He was a devoted son to Lynn and Ray, and a solid presence for his brothers, Scott and Raymond. Derek was the “fun” uncle, teaching his nieces and nephews to juggle, play laser tag, and dance with pure elation on the dance floor.

Derek will be remembered by his unending commitment to Chiropractic, health and wellness – his own and the many people in his care over two decades in Canada, and abroad. He poured his heart and soul into his practice, Divine Spine, in Seattle, which he and Tamara opened and managed together. When he moved back to Canada, he wholeheartedly practiced at Fine and Well Health and Chiropractic in both the Kimberley and Cranbrook locations. He trusted the body’s wisdom and helped others to do so too. He was known for really listening, caring and loving his patients.

Derek’s other passion was coaching youth sports. Growing up, Derek spent his days with friends always engaged in sport. With joy, he developed athletes, with a focus on growing thoughtful community members. His enthusiasm will continue with the athletes he coached throughout his years, teaching teamwork, respect, celebrating and fun.

He loved to be in nature, camping with friends, exercising, and engaging with others in long conversations around the table, dance parties, living life to the fullest – with his family and friends around him. Derek had the uncanny ability to find out what inspired people and foster that passion within them. Derek knew when he was needed, and he showed up.

There are so many qualities Derek embodied – abundant love, thoughtfulness, calm, joy, adventure, humor, openness, patience, wisdom, attention, connection and acceptance. The list could go on, and we ask you to share your words, your experiences of Derek, and what you remember about him.

We will be celebrating Derek’s life with a service in Kimberley on January 3rd, 2026. Details to follow. For now, hug a loved one, cheer on a child and laugh and love with all you have. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Derek’s name to the Kimberley & District Community Foundation, PO BOX 27 STN MAIN, Kimberley, BC V1A 2Y5 https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/8922

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