Derek Ray Lemieux

**In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Derek’s memory to Tammy Lynn Endowment, Inc., 739 Chappell Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606 Derek Ray Lemieux, 28 years old, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh, NC, after a 4 month courageous battle with brain cancer. Derek was born on March 26th, 1991, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The family moved to Waynesville, NC, in 1996. Derek spent his childhood as an elite soccer player and, in middle school, volunteered in the special needs classrooms, supporting students with disabilities and helping his mom during the spring Special Olympics. In Derek’s adult life, he volunteered and was a supporter of Tammy Lynn Center in Raleigh, NC. Derek enlisted in the US Army at age 18, on October 13, 2008, and completed his basic training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. From there, Derek graduated from Ft. Gordon, Georgia, as a Signal Support Systems Specialist and then went on to Ft. Benning, Georgia, where he graduated from the Army Infantry Airborne. Derek was stationed in Ft. Bragg for six years in the 82nd Airborne Brigade Support Battalion. In 2015, Derek was stationed for 3 years in Vicenza, Italy, with the 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, Airborne. Derek received numerous awards and badges during his nine years of service to his country, including Expert Marksmanship, Leadership Warrior, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and German Parachutist Badge. While stationed in Italy and when on leave time, Derek became an “Extreme Traveler”, visiting 25 different countries throughout Europe and Asia. He entertained his family and friends with stories and drone footage of unique adventures from the countries he visited. Derek’s real passion was music. Listening, learning and producing under the name of ‘D-Rex’ {#DREXifyTheWorld}. His music is designed to bring people together through his travels, reminding us that there is so much adventure and life to live, and to live it now. In his short music career, he created, produced and performed in various venues in Europe, including Ultra Europe Tour in Croatia. Derek also has several songs he produced over the years and now has over 27,000 followers. Prior to Derek’s brain cancer diagnosis on December 12th, 2018, Derek was about to begin a new chapter in his life. He was enrolled in Atlanta Institute of Music & Media (AIMM) to pursue a degree in post audio production. When Derek was not making music, he was gaming with friends around the world, always looking forward to beating his sister in bowling, and playing golf. Derek was a true warrior, taking on the most aggressive treatments with such strength and courage to battle the relentless brain cancer. Throughout the difficult and painful treatments, Derek maintained his incredible thoughtfulness by constantly thanking his team of medical staff, family and friends who supported him. His kindness will be an inspiration for all of us to be better people. Derek is survived by his mother, Holly Richard, stepfather, Dave Richard, of Raleigh, NC, father, Ron Lemieux, of Florida, sister, Nicole Lemieux, of Raleigh, NC, stepbrother, Dylan Richard, and wife Rebekah Richard from Texas, grandparents Ray and Jan Lemieux of Massachusetts, grandmother Jane Lewis of Massachusetts, grandmother Lorraine Grenier of Florida. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends he has met in the Army and his travels around the world! Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation at 3 pm on Monday, April 22nd followed by the service at 4 pm at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC, 27615. Derek will be laid to rest in a private ceremony for immediate family members at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, NC on Tuesday morning. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Derek’s memory to Tammy Lynn Endowment, Inc., 739 Chappell Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606. The family would like to express our sincere appreciation to our friends and family, and to the incredible medical team at Duke Hospital and the Brain Tumor Center, WakeMed Hospital and Transitions LifeCare for their phenomenal expertise, support and love for Derek and family.

Derek Ray Lemieux

March 26, 1991 - April 17, 2019