We are heartbroken to share that our beloved Derek D’Arcy has passed away on August 28, 2025. This was very sudden and unexpected and has left our family unprepared with funeral expenses. He is survived by his wife Joyce, his children: Dana, Seamus, Sarah and Danielle, and his grandchildren: Lola and Jalen.

Derek is known best as a minister of his bible fellowship. He studied and researched the Bible at the Emporia, Kansas campus of the Way Ministry in 1988. He was a wonderful man of God and an advisor of many believers. He has touched many lives with the word of God and his loving personality. He walked with God through all of life’s journeys, including his fight against prostate cancer. With the support of his wife he has been on home dialysis for the past 7 years as a result of the cancer. His life has been full of love, laughter, travel, faith, family and friendship.

What started as another fun family outing to Virginia Beach turned into tragedy because of a bacterial infection he contracted from the water called Vibrio. This deadly bacteria traveled throughout his body and eventually took his life.

Derek was a proud Irish man who is loved by his two sisters, brother, nieces and nephews, cousins, countless friends and believers.

He spent this life traveling Europe, growing up in Ireland playing soccer and even being on a semi professional league. His friends will tell you that he was better than Messi, and affectionately called him “Ala”. He loved living in France as a young man, meeting his wife, Joyce, and moving to America. He and his family lived in Illinois, California, and Virginia. Wherever they went he spoke Gods word, professionally painted, and coached soccer. The many children he coached and encouraged (including his daughters and grandchildren) were all near to his heart. We were all lucky to have known him and loved him so deeply.

Our family is truly heartbroken and it is difficult to put into words just how wonderful and important Derek was to everybody he met. Derek was always giving and would never ask this of anyone, but we are asking for any kind of support during this time whether that be kind words, prayers, or a small donation. Please feel free to share this with all friends and family. All donations will be going towards Derek’s funeral costs. Thank you and God Bless.

—The D’Arcy Family