Gerald "Jerry" Bazil Derby

Gerald “Jerry” Derby, age 82, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025 at the age of 82 surrounded by family.

Jerry was born on October 11,1942 in Wadena, MN and raised on a dairy farm in Verndale, MN. He graduated from Verndale High School in 1960. A hardworking student, Jerry worked as a carpenter while attending Bemidji State University. Here he played on the university’s basketball team and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1964. He also later received Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

His career in education began in 1965 teaching at the junior high school level in Colfax, WI. Transferring in 1966 to the Plum City School district in Chilton, WI where he taught at the high-school level and coached varsity basketball and baseball. In 1968, he transferred to Cudahy, WI where he raised his family and taught high school Social Studies and Driver’s Education for 30 years until his retirement in 1998.

Jerry was a devoted Wisconsin sports enthusiast who cheered passionately for the Wisconsin Badgers, Marquette Basketball, Milwaukee Bucks, Brewers and the Green Bay Packers. He was also an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting, golfing, snowmobiling, and skiing. Jerry was an athlete until his death. In his early years he competed in several marathons, including the Paavo Nurmi Marathon in Hurley, WI and the Chicago Marathon. He was an ardent bicyclist in his later years, where his passion for biking took him on many adventures throughout Wisconsin, the U.S and around the world. Most recently at the age of 82, he biked in the Netherlands during the Tulip Festival, Cape Cod Massachusetts, the Natchez Trace bike trail in Mississippi, bike trails along the Erie Canal and several times a week with his biking group throughout the bike trails of Vilas county. One of the greatest joys of his later years was traveling and spending time outdoors with family at his home in the Minocqua area and being “Bompa” to his grandchildren.

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, but his memory will live on in the stories we share, and the lessons he taught. He now joins us on every bike ride—in the wind at our backs and the sun on our shoulders.

Jerry is survived by his children, Aaron Derby, Sean Derby, and Sydne (Tim) Trapp, his grandchildren Marley and Macey Trapp; and his sister, Muriel Weber. He was preceded in death by his parents, Verna and Bazil Derby, and his brother, Larry Derby.

A private graveside ceremony for family will be held in Verndale, MN. In lieu of flowers or money consider a donation to Rails to Trails Conservancy in Jerry’s name. https://www.railstotrails.org/state/wisconsin/