Derrell June Lake, passed away after a courageous 2-year battle with a rare form of cancer. He was born on July 23, 1954, in Price, Utah to Berdell and Geneva Lake. He grew up in Castle Dale and attended K-12th grades in Emery County. He was the seventh of thirteen children.
In the summer of 1972, Derrell met the love of his life and future wife, Teresa Keisel. They were married September 21st, 1973 in the Manti Temple. Their family began the following July with a baby boy born three months premature. Together, they raised five sons, whom he loved deeply and was so proud of.
Derrell attended Salt Lake Technical College and earned his degree in Machining. He began his career at Jack’s Motors in Huntington, Utah and then was offered a job at the Des Bee Dove Mine. He worked there until the mine closed, then went on to work at the Wilberg Mine, just months before the fire there. When Trail Mountain Mine opened, Derrell worked as a long wall mechanic and electrician, then moved on to Deer Creek Mine where he retired from his mining career of 35 years. Derrell was also a business partner with his brothers at Radio Shack, Lake Electronics store, and worked at Genco for a short period of time. Nicknames that he was given by co-workers were MacGyver, Professor Gadget, and the absent-minded professor. He had a “magic hammer” that seemed to fix everything.
He was very proficient in electronics repair and was a skilled craftsman. Together, Derrell and Teresa built their home with their children and family’s help. Derrell also helped design, build and install radio towers throughout Emery County. He had a very creative mind and was always making or inventing something. One of his friends jokingly said that, “All he needed was a washing machine motor, a hot water heater tank and a flywheel and he could send a man to the moon.” He has made and installed satellite dishes, several wood lathes, a rock saw and lapidary polishing equipment for the family to use. He was always making something new.
Derrell loved the desert and was an avid rock and fossil hunter. On one of his birthdays, he found some little shiny pieces of rock on the desert. He gathered up all the chips he could find and spent a good six hours putting the pieces back together, realizing he had found a dinosaur tooth and donated the tooth to the San Rafael Museum. A newspaper article was published in the Emery County Progress.
Derrell had a deep love for his Savior and had a strong testimony of the gospel throughout his life. He was praised for his integrity. He served in numerous church callings including a ward clerk through five Bishoprics, a counselor in the bishopric, served in the Stake Mission Presidency, the Elder’s Quorum, Young Men, as a Family History Librarian and Consultant. He was a Scout Leader in the ward for many years, served as Eagle Advancement Chairman and was a scout merit badge counselor. His last job in scouting was a ward cub scout chairman. His most cherished calling was working as a veil worker in the Manti Temple. As his sons grew up, Derrell gained five daughters-in-law, thirty grandchildren, four great- grandchildren, and two on the way.
Derrell is survived by his wife, Teresa; his children, David (Laresha) LaSal, Utah, Jeremy (Amanda) Orangeville, Utah, Richard (Giselle) Nephi, Utah, Brandon Derrell (Brenda) North Ogden, Utah, Michael (Bridget) Vernal, Utah; grandchildren, Braydon, Matthew (Kalea), Jace (Kate), RaNae (Josh), Maylee, Colten Derrell (McKinley), Rebecca, Timber (Luke), Haley (James), Porter Derrell, Nicholas, Justice, Ella, Justeen, Jordan, Blake, Kenlie, Aubree, Eliza, Mason, Kayden, and Landon; great-grandchildren, Colt, Ridger, Colby Derrell and unborn twins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Berdell and Geneva; siblings, Billy Jean (Vern) Jorgensen, Jimmie Berdell, Marlin, and Johnny Ray; and two grandchildren, Joshua and Lucas.
The family would also like to express their sincere love and gratitude to all of those who have shown their kindness through visits, phone calls, caretaking, meals and flowers. We would especially like to thank all the healthcare professionals who tended to Derrell’s needs during this long battle and giving support when needed.
Funeral service Saturday, June 7, 2025, 10:30 a.m., Castle Dale Stake Center (35 East Main). The family will receive friends at the Stake Center from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 6th and from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Saturday morning prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Castle Dale Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends and family are always welcome daily and may share memories of Derrell online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.