of Little Rock, AR
September 5, 1951 - December 22, 2022
Allen Eugene Derby, 71, of Little Rock, AR, passed away Thursday, December 22, 2022. Before moving to Little Rock, he lived in Sioux City and Onawa, Iowa.
Allen was a welder and worked for Gateway and Blackbird Casino in Onawa. He was a singer and a guitar player and jammed at the Senior Centers and the nursing homes. He played and loved sports all his life. He enjoyed and loved his family, friends, and fellow musicians.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Lester Eugene, and Mildred Derby; one son, Donald William Peterson; one granddaughter, Sami Jo Derner, and one sister-in-law Theresa Derby. Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Dena Derby; a brother, Chuck Derby (Linda); six children, Barry Hodges (Marlo), Tracy McLaughlin (Jason), Misti Clingan, Brett Derby, Charles Derby (Tara), and Danielle Myers; 27 grandchildren,
10 great-grandchildren, and one on the way; one brother-in-law, Ted Hayden (Pat); one sister-in-law, Sherri Simpson (Terry), also other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be planned by the family at a later time.
Little Allen, i do not like funerals, celebrations of life, internet or social media! but when my son showed me this i had to take his laptop and sit down and write this to you. i can hear your voice singing and smiling. I hear Denas voice harmonizing with you, and sometimes you getting the words wrong to those OLDER songs, ha and Dena telling you that you should really learn to play more of them! ha. on a serious note, i want to thank you for the time you saved my life that night in 1993. i wouldnt be here if you wouldnt have gotten me thru that night. Thank you for being such a stand up man, and it was an honor to be your cuz. i love you little allen..we all do, so grateful to call you cuz. love, Amy
My first memory of Allen was riding back to Sioux city after I believe my grandfather funeral. Him telling me how wynot ne. Got its name from two settlers tired from their travels and one asked the if they wanted to stop for the night. They're answer was why not. Lol. Never forgot that. I was probably 9 at the time. RIP Allen
I love you uncle Allen , so many memories as a kid and now that I will not ever forget . From the music to just making everyone laugh . I will not forget the road kill stew hamburger helper.
You will be greatly missed
Kami and Georgie
Misty, Brett, & Charles... Shannon just sent me a link to this site. My heart is saddened by your loss. I'll never forget all the times we played with your dad there. Immediately I recall driving down the back roads in his truck with him singing a song he made it "you don't go messing around with baby Charles". I also remember when your whole family helped my mom move us back home to Shannon Hills from living in an apartment in Fayetteville. Our U-Haul crapped out & we sat on the side of the road for what seemed like forever. I'm praying for you all & love ya!
I love you Incle Allen. You are are going to be so greatly missed!!! You already are. Thank you for being a big part of my life growing up! I have so many great memories of you throughout my life...I'm definitely going to miss hearing you play your guitar and singing. Make sure you are having one hell of a jam session with the other family that you have went to join! I love you and miss you...until we meet again... â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸
Rest In Peace dear friend. Missing that smile and your funny side. Enjoy playing, singing, and joking around in Heaven.
RIP you will be so missed by everyone.i will play your music all the time.Love u until we meet again.prayers For are family
Sending condolences with loads of love to all that love Allen. He’s been like a father to me for the past 35 years.
May he rest well.
I love you dad….I can’t believe that I’ll never get another hug from you. Word can’t express the difference you made in my life. Thank you for standing by my through everything. I couldn’t have been more blessed than to be able to call you my dad. I’ll see you there daddy ♥ï¸
"RIP" cuz. Music will never be the same without you.
We love you.
Charles, Tara and family I am lifting each of you up in prayers during this difficult time.
Prayers for Charles and his family at this time.
Katy and Jennifer
He is miss and love by all of us I will not for get uncle Allen for all that he did for me when I was a kid right teaching me how to play the guitar coming and getting me when I was sick at school listening to music with him he will be missed