Derek Wendell Brown, Jr.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Derek Brown Jr., who left this world far too soon at the age of 23 in Savannah, Georgia. Derek was a remarkable soul whose presence brought joy and laughter to all who knew him.

Derek was a true connoisseur of all things nerdy. He adored Dragon Ball Z, Legend of Zelda, Halo, Lego video games, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Marvel comics and movies, and DC comics and movies. Derek was a collector who cherished his Lego sets, meticulously building and displaying them with pride. Star Wars, Marvel, Batman, and space-themed sets adorned his collection. He was also an avid reader, his comic book collection a testament to his love for the Marvel and DC universes, Legend of Zelda, and Dragon Ball Z. Derek's artistic talent was exceptional, particularly in anime and superhero drawings. Derek's love of video games was ingrained by his two older brothers, Javier and Alcides. It began with watching them play different games and cheering them on while waiting for his turn. He fell in love with Dragon Ball Z because of their shared love for the anime and games.

Derek's knowledge about his interests was encyclopedic, and he relished passionate discussions, debating the outcomes of epic battles like Optimus Prime versus Ironman. His favorite superheroes, Batman and Spiderman, were more than just characters to him; they were a source of inspiration.

One of the most cherished memories with his mother was the Spiderman costume she bought him at the age of four, a costume he wore for an entire year. When it came time for a new costume the next Halloween, his mother pleaded with him to pick a different superhero costume, but Derek only wanted to be Spiderman again.

Derek was a true foodie, and he firmly believed that if a restaurant couldn't make a good burger, it was time to leave. Oreos were more than a snack; they were a passion. He asked his sister to make him an Oreo birthday cake once. When she asked what flavor he wanted for the cake, the icing, the filling, he just said, "make it all Oreo." Someone might have thought maybe an Oreo cake with Oreo filling and icing and Oreos on top might have been too much Oreo, but not Derek. Derek also had the same passion for spicy foods. He would always complain about a food not being spicy enough to the point that he carried hot sauce in his car. One time Derek met his match with the one-chip challenge. That was the only thing he ever ate that was too spicy for him.

Nature held a special place in Derek's heart, with the beach being his sanctuary. He dreamed of one day owning his own island, where he could bask in solitude, listening to Jimmy Buffett and wearing a Hawaiian shirt every day. His love of nature and the beach may have come from the many times he went out fishing with his father. One of his favorite memories was fishing in Lake Gatun in Panama with his father, tío Carlos, and primo Carlitos. That day was long and hot, but the pure bliss he felt from catching fish nonstop was completely worth it to him.

Derek was not only a vibrant young man but also a force of strength. His passion for weightlifting was unparalleled, with the ability to deadlift an astonishing 420 lbs, squat 405 lbs, and bench 300 lbs. He had dreams of competing in weightlifting competitions, where we can only imagine he would have excelled.

Whenever Derek embarked on his workouts, he wore his Kame symbol necklace from Dragon Ball Z, a symbol of his dedication to strength training. And who could forget his unique fashion choice of wearing long socks pushed down to his ankles, rather than just buying regular ankle socks, and an orange training shirt with matching shorts inspired by Goku, along with black Converse shoes.

During these workouts, he would listen to a broad range of music from heavy metal to Lady Gaga. He was always ready to help others with their own workouts to the point that he would love to put together a personalized schedule for friends or hear about the progress that they have made.

Derek's humor was as unique as he was, often inspired by Shrek and SpongeBob. His quirky personality and sense of humor were infectious, always ready to tease and poke fun, especially when playing games with his sister Brittany. Whenever she did poorly in a game, he was ready with quips like, "couldn't be me," or "hate to see it."

Yet, beneath the humor, Derek possessed a compassionate soul. He was a friend to lean on, offering wisdom and comfort in times of need. He understood the value of being heard and validated. He was deeply touched by the death of his oldest brother Javier, and he held onto his older brother's army dog tags since then. He also treasured the first G.I. Joe that Javier bought for him before he was born. He saw his brother as a source of strength and inspiration.

Derek's infectious smile and hearty laughter illuminated every room he entered. His jokes and witty remarks will be deeply missed by his mother Ileana, father Derek Sr., brother Alcides, and sister Brittany.

Low Country Cremation and Burial has the honor to serve the Brown family.