1976-2020
Derek Chance Jacks passed away in his home after a long illness November 20, 2020, at the age of 44 years and 10 months.
Derek was born January 20, 1976, in Harlingen, Texas, to Steven and Nannette Jacks (Fanning).
Derek got his love for fishing while the family lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, before moving back to Oklahoma. His love for camping and fishing stayed with him throughout his life.
Derek graduated from Sayre High School in 1994. Following graduation, Derek joined the U.S. Air Force in August 1994 where he trained for and became a crew chief for the KC 135 refueling aircraft and was stationed at various bases in Europe, Middle East and Asia.
The time spent flying fueled his love of flight and planes, so following his discharge in March of 1999, he enrolled in OU flight training program and received he pilots license in July 2001.
Survivors include: his 6-year-old son, Walker, and Walker’s mother, Stephanie, of Midwest City; brothers, Steven and wife, Amie, of Edmond, Coy and wife, Jennifer, of Canute, and Zachary, of Enid; parents, Nannette Fanning, of Oklahoma City, and Steven and Lela Jacks, of Arnett; grandmother, Shirley Armour, of Ft. Worth, Texas; and many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.
Derek was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Wayne and Ethel Fanning and paternal grandparents Clyde and Pauline Jacks.
Derek touched everyone’s heart he met and was always quick with a joke or a wrench to help. He would go out of his way to help a friend in need and he dearly loved his son Walker.
He just wanted people to be kind to one another. Derek said “Kindness does not cost anything and lasts a lifetime.”
Derek was and still is loved by all who knew him.