Mr. Derek Olgilvie

Celebrating The Life Of Our Beloved Derek Anthony Olgilvie, Jr.: Derek Anthony Ogilvie, Jr. was born on June 27, 1979 to the union of Valerie Whitmore (Ogilvie-Biggs) and Derek Anthony Ogilvie, Sr. He attended Detroit Public Schools and graduated from Crockett Vocational Technical Academy in 1997. Derek initially attended Florida A & M University but returned to Detroit to study photography at the College for Creative Studies. Despite much adult advice to the contrary, he pursued a career in photography because it was his love. We were so proud of him when he used his talents as a photographer to obtain jobs at General Motors and Ford Motor Company. His favorite assignments allowed him to photograph cars and auto shows and to travel the country. As a young man Derek enjoyed participating in various church programs and performing the duties of altar boy at John Wesley AME Zion Church. As an adult he enjoyed the outdoors and often spent time on his motorcycle or camping, fishing and hunting. He had fond memories of the camping trips he took with his Dad. He also loved agricultural and building activities and clearly remembered the lessons he learned from summer visits to his grandfather's farm in Fulton, Arkansas. He passed on his love of camping to his son, Derek Anthony Ogilvie III, and often talked with his cousins about purchasing a family farm and growing our own food. Derek had a beautiful and gentle spirit as evidenced whenever he would share his beaming smile. He was a kind person - willing to share whatever he had with others. He used his time wisely, often mentoring young people. He had a very special relationship with his oldest nephew, Quan Kelley. In his second career with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services he felt that his job made a difference in helping others. Though the job was sometimes stressful due to the vast needs of the people he served and the limited resources available to resolve problems, he was knowledgeable, compassionate, and freely shared available information and resources with others. The last few years had been difficult for Derek. Though he put up a brave fight against the autoimmune disease of lupus, it had begun to take a serious toll on his health and his energy. He succumbed to the disease on Saturday, February 24, 2018 while surrounded by his loving family and friends and while holding the hands of his sisters Maya and Lisa. He will be dearly missed.

Mr. Derek Olgilvie

June 27, 1979 - February 24, 2018