Derrell E. Southern

Derrell Southern, 96, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2026. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, Navy veteran, craftsman, and gifted artist whose remarkable life was defined by faith, family, service, and an extraordinary talent for wood sculpture.

Derrell was born on June 24, 1929, in Modale, Iowa, to Mary and Ralph Southern. His love for creating began at a young age. Inspired by his father, a cabinetmaker, Derrell developed an appreciation for fine craftsmanship and attributed his own patience and precision to the example his father set. By the age of seven or eight, he was already carving small wooden toys, an early sign of the artistic gift that would become such an important part of his life.

He graduated from Missouri Valley High School in 1947 and served in the United States Navy from 1948 to 1952. Derrell was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, and served aboard the USS Coral Sea in the Mediterranean as an airplane electrician.

Derrell first met Elaine Davenport on a blind date in high school. While he was home on leave from the Navy, the two were married on October 25, 1950, and Elaine joined him in Jacksonville – the beginning of what would be a 67-year marriage before she passed in 2018.

After completing his military service, Derrell and Elaine moved to Kansas City, where he continued his education at Donnelly College. In 1952, he began his career with Trans World Airlines (TWA) as an electronics mechanic. He spent 32 years with TWA, retiring in 1984 as a member of Facilities Engineering. Throughout his career, he brought the same precision and technical skill to his work as he did with his art.

Derrell continued to develop his skills through study and dedication. Beginning in the late 1950s and into the 1960s, he took the Famous Artists correspondence art course. He began with painting before discovering his true passion in wood sculpture. Beyond that course, Derrell was self-taught, relying on his natural ability, patience, and years of practice to master his craft.

His first sculpture, created in 1968, was The Guitarist, a 12-inch figure carved from teak wood. From that point forward, wood sculpture became his passion and primary creative outlet. Derrell once said that the desire to sculpt had always been with him, and those who knew him understood that creating was simply part of who he was. Even without patrons or commissioned works, he would have continued sculpting because he felt compelled to create.

Over the years, Derrell produced countless sculptures, many commissioned by churches, schools, cathedrals, and religious organizations. His works have been purchased by people from coast to coast and continue to serve as lasting reminders of his remarkable gift.

Among his most significant works was Precision Rendezvous, a commemorative piece commissioned by TWA for astronaut Neil Armstrong. Derrell sculpted the piece from a large walnut log that he personally found at the Lake of the Ozarks. It was created to honor Armstrong’s historic 1969 walk on the moon and to represent the journey of space flight from Earth to the moon.

Many of Derrell’s most meaningful creations were expressions of his faith. He created a six-foot candle stand for the Cathedral in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, featuring a circle of seven human figures in different attitudes of prayer.

Other notable religious works include a 12-foot-tall statue in Paola of St. Angela, the statue of St. Thomas Aquinas and chapel cross at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, a Good Samaritan statue for an Olathe nursing home, and a two-figure representation of Christ with a boy created for a boys’ school in Baton Rouge. He also created a life-size crucifix and the Four Angels sculptures of six-foot musicians for Good Shepherd Catholic Church.

His creations can be found throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. School Teacher resides at the Shawnee Indian Mission Museum. His series of five reliefs illustrating the life of Christ is at St. Crispin’s monastery in St. Louis. Dozens of other works dot Missouri and Kansas.

Derrell and Elaine moved to Lake of the Forest in Bonner Springs in 1990, where he continued his wood sculpture work and remained active in his community. Outside his former home there still stands one of his memorable creations—a seven-foot heron carved from an old, dead tree, reflecting his ability to find beauty and possibility in the natural world around him.

Faith was a central part of Derrell’s life. He was involved at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kansas City, Kansas, and Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Shawnee. He sang in the choir and served as a lector for many years, sharing his gifts through worship and service.

Derrell was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elaine; his parents, Mary and Ralph Southern; and five siblings.

He is survived by his children: Jennifer (Gary) Osborn, Mark Southern, Julie (Lynn) Holcomb, and Fredrick (Lynne) Southern; seven grandchildren, Christopher, Jeffrey, Melissa, Ryan, Philip, Paul, and Mark; three great-grandchildren, Ciara, Morgan, and Tyler; and one great-great-grandson, Houston, along with many extended family members and friends who cherish his memory.

Derrell Southern leaves behind more than the beautiful sculptures he created. He leaves a legacy of faith, craftsmanship, perseverance, and love. His hands shaped wood into works of lasting beauty. His artistry will endure for generations, a lasting reflection of a gifted and remarkable man.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00am, Friday, August 28, 2026 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Lenexa, followed by Mass at 11:00am. There will be a graveside service at Resurrection Cemetery at 1:30pm where Derrell will be laid to rest with his wife.