Derek Turk was born on November 21, 1975 in Palo Alto, California.  He was energetic and fun loving as a child, the only son of his mother Sharon Fields and father Rubin B. Turk. 

Derek was educated in Mountain View schools and graduated in 1994 from Mountain View High.  It was there that he found his love for football.  After graduation, he went on to attend and play football at Foothill College and De Anza College.  Derek loved all types of football and was an avid fan of all levels, whether professional, college or arena football.  He would be so excited to see the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl this year.

In 2004, Derek’s life changed when his son Caden Anthony Turk was born.  He was overjoyed and loved his son dearly.  Derek attended Gateway City Church, which gave him peace and in 2007 he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. 

Derek was a calm and easy going guy, known warm smile and his laid-back personality.  Derek’s friends became like family members and shared his interests in music, old school cars, and astronomy.  He was most at ease when making beats, attending car shows, working on his own restoration projects, relaxing at the beach or watching for meteor showers or eclipses. 

Derek was a compassionate kind-hearted person who loved to help people.  Derek had a number of jobs and skills, but he had a unique gift for working with children with autism. He worked throughout Santa Clara County at Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE) and most recently as a Program Coordinator at AchieveKids. 

Derek departed this life on January 21, 2017.  Preceding him in death was his mother Sharon Fields, grandmother, Ruth Ella Fields, Uncle Harold Dirks, Uncle Ken Moore, and Aunt Carol Moore. He leaves to cherish his memory, his son Caden A. Turk (mother Anissa Lopez); Aunt Deborah Fields Haygood, Uncles Ronnie Dirks, Kenneth A. Fields, Keefe Fields (Monica), and Kevin Fields (Lottie), along with countless other family and close friends who were blessed to know him.

Obituary taken from the Alta Mesa Funeral Home website.

http://www.altamesafuneralhome.com/obituary/4101225