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Devin Corkrum
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Devin Corkrum Derby, grandson of Walla Walla Valley pioneer Corkrum family, passed away at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Monday, December 13, 2004 following a single vehicle accident November 28, 2004 on the Middle Waitsburg Road. Devin was born July 8, 1957 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Walla Walla. His great-great grandfather, Francis Marion Corkrum arrived in Walla Walla, Washington Territory in September of 1865, homesteading on Spring Branch. His great grandfather, Uriah Corkrum, then purchased the land in Spring Valley in the early 1900s which was farmed in wheat through his lifetime, and the lifetime of Devin’s grandparents Frederick and Nina Lee Corkrum. Devin left the ranch at age 4 with his parents Shari Corkrum Derby and Dean Derby, and sister DeAnn, to be raised in St. Paul, Minnesota during and following Dean’s professional football career. God gave Devin many tangible gifts- photographer, scenic painter in the film industry, and a skill for building, which left his signature everywhere you look at the ranch. It was while working as a free-lance photographer in Minneapolis that he met his wife, Mary. They were married in 1989 at the lake home of Mary’s parents, Cliff and Pat Tuuri, in northern Minnesota. Devin and Mary moved together to the West Coast, settling in San Francisco where Devin pursued his career in photography, branching out into the film industry, then to Chicago in 1997 where he continued in the film industry. He also discovered Aikido, a peaceful martial art form that he practiced with a passion. In September of 2000 Devin became the father of Simon Corkrum Tuuri Derby and the family moved back to Walla Walla. Devin then returned to his first love, agriculture, and flourished as the Winery Manager and Winemaker for Spring Valley Vineyard.
Devin loved the ranch in Spring Valley- the land and his heritage. He had found his calling in the vineyard and winemaking, dedicating himself to perfecting the gifts God had given him. With an intense and huge work ethic, he was always strong, and able to speak out in agreement or disagreement. A man of great compassion he was always ready to help family, friends, strangers and his community. His nieces and nephew remember him especially for the times he spent helping and teaching them about horses, trap shooting, 4th of July fireworks, the vineyard, the winery, the land, the ranch...and when Devin’s time of need came, his entire family, especially his sister, uncles and cousins, along with his many friends were there to help. Devin is survived by wife Mary and son Simon Corkrum Tuuri Derby at home; his daughter Chloe Eloise Derby of St. Paul; his parents Dean and Shari Derby of Walla Walla; sister DeAnn Derby Elvin, brother-in-law Richard Elvin, nieces Britni Lynn and Katherine Derby Elvin, nephew Andrew Derby Elvin, all of St. Paul; uncles Al Derby of Spokane and Gaynor Derby of Walla Walla; and special cousins Jeff Heimbigner of Seattle and Lynn and Lance Derby of Spokane. A great army of prayer was mobilized, from Florida, Georgia, Texas, Minnesota, California and the Pacific Northwest for Devin and his family during his ordeal and although Devin didn’t recover as we had hoped, the army was successful- Hallelujah! Devin will be missed forever in this place by his many friends and family.
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