Edward Derden

Ret. SMSgt, USAF, Edward Derden, 83, of Rio Rancho, NM, formerly of Houston, TX, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2019. Born Thursday, January 30, 1936 in Wichita Falls, TX, to his parents Bert E. Derden and Fern Kolb Derden. He enlisted in the USAF in 1955 for 8 years and the USAF Reserves for over 30 years. Edward also worked in insurance for over 25 years in Houston. After moving to Rio Rancho, NM in 1993, Edward worked at Kirkland AF Base Chapel in Albuquerque, NM, as Protestant RE Director, retiring in 2012. Edward was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Doris (Musgrave) Derden; and son-in-law, Gregory Young Bailey. He is survived by his daughter, Kathie Derden Bailey; granddaughter, Ashley Derden Watterson (Jeremy); and great-grandson, Kyler Morgan Watterson, all of Magnolia, TX; and cousin, Juanel Kolb Robinson of AZ. Private arrangements have been made and private military burial at Santa Fe National Cemetery in New Mexico will take place. Donations in memory of Edward may be made to the Dementia Society of America www.dementiasociety.org/donate or your local animal shelter. Special thanks to all his caregivers at BeeHive Homes Enchanted Hills in Rio Rancho, NM and his hospice team with Heartland Hospice of Albuquerque, NM, especially his nurse, Ruth, for all the love, support and care given to Edward and his family.