DERRIL PEABODY
Reverend Derril E. Peabody of Lodi passed away late Monday night, December 3, 2018 surrounded by his family. Derril was born on May 1st, 1941 to Frank E. and Margaret Higley Peabody in Horton Kansas. Derril’s formative years were spent in Muscotah, Kansas where at seven years old he met his future wife of fifty-seven years, Linda Lou Christ. Derril and Linda married in 1962 and started a family in Topeka, KS as Derril pursued his career in radio broadcasting. They moved to Kansas City, KS in 1971 where Derril continued to work in radio. In 1981, Derril heard God’s call to commit his life to the ministry. Derril served at Stanley Community Church in Stanley, KS from 1980 to 1985 while working on his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Derril graduated from Mid-America Nazarene College in Olathe, Kansas with a double Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Communications and shortly after received his Masters of Divinity degree in 1984 from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas, affiliated with the American Baptist Church. Derril was ordained into the ministry at Colonial Church in Prairie Village, KS.
In 1985, Derril and his family relocated to Lodi, CA so that he could serve the First Congregational Church (now known as United Congregational Christian Church). Derril served UCCC for 11 years while he and his family made their home in Lodi. From 1996 to 2014, Derril served many United Church of Christ (UCC) churches including; First Congregational UCC in Eau Claire, WI, First Congregational Church of Salida, CA, St. John’s UCC in Woodland, CA, First Congregational United Church of Christ in Reno, NV, First Congregational Church in Oroville, CA, United Church of Christ in San Luis Obispo, CA, First Congregational UCC located in Escondido, CA, and Parkside Community Church, in Sacramento, CA. After Parkside, Derril was called back to serve UCCC of Lodi, where he initially served in 1985. Derril enjoyed returning to this wonderful church and was planning to retire officially at the end of this year. Most recently, the congregation of UCCC of Lodi recognized Derril for his pastoral leadership by bestowing upon him the honor of Pastor Emeritus.
Derril leaves behind his wife Linda Christ Peabody and children Paige Nicole Peabody Blevins (Dewey) and Joshua Todd Peabody (Nancy). His grandchildren that he adored beyond measure Maximilian Joshua Blevins, Gwendolyn Nicole Peabody, Harrison Derril Blevins, and Andrew Porter Peabody. His sister, Margaret Jane Rippe (Don) and many more loved family members.
All family and friends are invited to celebrate Derril’s life at the United Congregational Christian Church, 701 S. Hutchins St., Lodi, CA 95240 on January 12, 2019 at 10 am with a luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made on behalf of Derril to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.cff.org/) or the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/ ).
Please sign the guest book at www.lodinews.com/guestbook.