Speakers talk about his sense of humor and love of outdoors
BY EUNICE KIM
Statesman Journal
A caring father and husband who put family first. A loyal friend who always made people laugh. A proud Marine.
That's how many remembered Marine Lance Cpl. Derek Jones on Saturday as they said goodbye to one of
"He is the biggest hero," said Cindy Beard, a close friend of Derek's mother, Laurie Hadden. "He is just a hero."
Hundreds of friends, family, servicemen and community members filled the pews of
"It's a privilege for us to be able to remember Derek's life today and to know that he served his country with honor and with dignity," pastor Randy Butler said to a solemn crowd that included Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Rep. Darlene Hooley. "But ... before he was in the military, he was a son, he was a brother, and he (was) a husband to a precious wife."
Speaker after speaker, friend after friend described Derek as a funny guy who always had a good time. He loved the outdoors, had a dry sense of humor and was the glue that held different groups of friends together, his wife Pamela said through a written tribute read by
"Derek always had a smile on his face, quick with a joke," his mother Laurie Hadden wrote in her tribute. "He had a contagious laugh."
And like he often did in life, Derek -- through other's memories of him -- brought laughter to others Saturday. Derek's great uncle Scott shared many stories about the times the two spent together in
"He said, 'you know what Uncle Scott? I just need some chicken tenders,'" Scott recalled, prompting roars of laughter.
The ceremony was also filled with touching moments, times when the only sound that could be heard was the weeping of mourners. When Derek's friend Ovi Moran slowly took to the podium overlooking Derek's flag-draped casket, he asked everyone to close their eyes and picture Derek. He then read a poem that was written as a final letter.
"It's time for me to go and it's hard to say goodbye to all of you," he said, choking up as he read. "But I got to go to heaven now for my life on earth is through."
Derek, a 2003 graduate of
Last month, he left for
Gov. Kulongoski, a former Marine, said he knew there was little he could say to ease the grief of Derek's family and the people of
"The awful truth is that can no longer happen," he continued. "Lance Cpl. Derek Jones is gone and with him is gone another Marine, another patriot, another hero, who was the best
The community of
"I felt it was the right thing to do," said 84-year-old Emma Schnebly of
After the ceremony, many mourners fell in line with the funeral procession that stretched for blocks. They drove more than seven miles to the cemetery, passing over the
"It's a beautiful experience as far as the support everybody has been able to share," said Rob O'Connor, a friend of Derek's family. "I am very proud to see
At the cemetery, dozens of people crowded around Derek's casket and his family. Encircling the crowd and holding American flags were about 50 member of the motorcycle group Patriot Guard Riders.
Marines fired three rounds into the crisp sunny air to honor Derek, and then a single bugler played taps as part of the full military honors. Derek's mother Laurie Hadden and wife Pamela laid flowers on Derek's casket and embraced as tears filled their eyes.
The American flag that draped Derek's casket and his Purple Heart were given to Pamela. As the graveside service concluded, a military helicopter flew overhead and Amazing Grace played in the background. Friends and family lingered to give each other support and remember the man they came to honor.
"Though (Derek) is gone, he went out the way he wanted, standing up for something he believed in," said his friend Arash Afshar, 18, of
Eunice Kim; (503) 399-6721