Derrell Edward Upton

Derrell Edward Upton was the fifth of eleven children born to Reverend Lamoan and Joyce Upton (who both preceded him in death) in Chicago, Illinois on May 11th, 1956, but fell in love with Arizona making the City of Maricopa his final home with his wife Candida Upton. Derrell departed this life on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at home surrounded by love. During his 67 years of life, he dedicated his life to law enforcement and became a faithful Jehovah’s Witness in 2017. He was a man of many talents, such as, singing, drawing and a voracious reader. He enjoyed the beauty of nature, telling jokes, going to the movies and when he turned 60 he took up the hobby of watching them on television. He would often speak of his many entrepreneurial dreams and his deep love for others, especially his family.
 
Derrell “Dee Dee” Upton leaves behind his loving and dedicated wife Candida (Candi) Upton, nine children: Rommel Wilson, Alyssia Schultz, Tsia Gladney, Tagon Hunter, Tori Upton, Tayla Hunter, Dominique Munoz, Jireh Munoz and Josiah Munoz. Ten grandchildren: Rome Wilson, Alicia Wilson, Noah Daniels, X'Zavior Daniels, Amari Carithers, Tagon Hunter, Jeron Munoz, Grace Gladney, Jeron Munoz and Ryelle Munoz. Six Siblings: Marvin (Sheila) Upton, Tyress Upton, Kimberly Upton, Cassandra Hollins, Mark (Tina) Upton, Dayna Upton and Kina Baker to cherish his memories. His siblings Lamont Upton, Michael Upton and Valerie Gebre all preceded him in death. 

Also left to cherish his memories are Virginia Thomas (grandma), Jonella Lopez (sister), Damien Thomas, Daniel Thomas, Donald Allison, Earl and Michelle Justin, Erno and Carole Lopez, Gwendolyn Lopez, Hayden Peters, Jason Ray Smith, Johnny Lopez, Julianna Saiza, Karen Smith, Kendra Lewis, KiKi Smith, Linda Smith, Sarina Smith, Steven Villarreal, Timothy Peters, Warin Villarreal, Yolanda Villarreal, Lenny and Patricia Jones, Mr. Brother McCray, and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends.

Luke 10:25-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii[a] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”