Obituary for Derrick Emanuel "Short" Washington
Derrick “Short” Washington was born on September 29, 1969 to Christine and James Washington. Short, as he was affectionately known, was raised in Perry, Georgia and remained a proud child of the Peach State and an avid Georgia Bulldog fan. Following his graduation from Perry High School in 1988, he attended Georgia Southwestern College and later went on to earn his Associate Degree.
He was unafraid to try different paths on his road to success. After college, he found his calling and joined the U.S. Air Force. Throughout his career, he traveled across the world, mentoring peers and junior members while influencing friends and strangers alike. In 2009, as part of an Air Force initiative, Derrick relocated to South Carolina where he would meet his future family of Kenyatta, Keaton, and Kennedy, whom he cherished deeply.
A few years later, they welcomed the birth of their youngest son, and his best friend, Karter. In 2016, after 24 years of service and tremendous accomplishments, Derrick retired from the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant and began a new career in the Civil Service community at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He also volunteered to support several community organizations while attending and actively participating in his children’s youth events. Derrick’s care, thoughtfulness, and love of people and life resonated with everyone. On Thursday afternoon, 22 April 2021, Derrick was called home to his final resting place.
Short will be remembered for his enormous heart, his infectious smile and his bold yet generous spirit which left everyone he knew with memories to forever treasure. Short was a remarkable and loving Husband, Father, Son, Grandson, Godfather, Brother and Friend to many.
Derrick is survived by his wife of eight years, Kenyatta Washington, his loving mother, Christine Washington, Father James Washington (Mary), his three children Keaton, Kennedy, and Karter, Grandmother, Lillie Durham, brother James Washington Jr. and a huge host of family and friends larger than imagination.
He was unafraid to try different paths on his road to success. After college, he found his calling and joined the U.S. Air Force. Throughout his career, he traveled across the world, mentoring peers and junior members while influencing friends and strangers alike. In 2009, as part of an Air Force initiative, Derrick relocated to South Carolina where he would meet his future family of Kenyatta, Keaton, and Kennedy, whom he cherished deeply.
A few years later, they welcomed the birth of their youngest son, and his best friend, Karter. In 2016, after 24 years of service and tremendous accomplishments, Derrick retired from the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant and began a new career in the Civil Service community at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He also volunteered to support several community organizations while attending and actively participating in his children’s youth events. Derrick’s care, thoughtfulness, and love of people and life resonated with everyone. On Thursday afternoon, 22 April 2021, Derrick was called home to his final resting place.
Short will be remembered for his enormous heart, his infectious smile and his bold yet generous spirit which left everyone he knew with memories to forever treasure. Short was a remarkable and loving Husband, Father, Son, Grandson, Godfather, Brother and Friend to many.
Derrick is survived by his wife of eight years, Kenyatta Washington, his loving mother, Christine Washington, Father James Washington (Mary), his three children Keaton, Kennedy, and Karter, Grandmother, Lillie Durham, brother James Washington Jr. and a huge host of family and friends larger than imagination.