Derek Ian Ley

Derek Ley was born on Wednesday, August 19, 1981 in Galveston, Texas. Derek is the son of Fernando and Terri (Myers) Ley. He passed this life on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 41 years of age. Derek was a 2000 graduate of Union High School in Tulsa. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he met the former Miss Stacy Singleton. They were married on May 26, 2007 at Tarp Chapel in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Derek was employed with Helmerich and Payne, Trinidad Oil Company and the University of Tulsa making a lifelong career in oil and gas. He enjoyed wearing crimson while cheering on his Sooners, working in his yard, grilling and back porch time. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family, especially his daughter and two sons. He loved following Keira’s soccer days and teaching Carson and Connor how to play baseball. The family requests memorials to a college fund for Derek’s Children, 1660 South Elm Place, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012 He is survived by, His wife,Stacy Ley, of the home Daughter,Keira Ley, Broken Arrow, OK Sons,Carson Ley, Broken Arrow, OK Connor Ley, Broken Arrow, OK Parents,Fernando and Terri Ley, Broken Arrow, OK Mother & Father in Law,Brenda and Kenny Singleton, Broken Arrow, OK Brothers,Dylan Ley, Tulsa, OK Austin Ley, Tulsa, OK Sisters, Andrea and husband Brady Gullekson, Tulsa, OK Angelica and husband Brad Mannschreck, Colorado Springs, CO Brother in Law & Sister in Law, Bradley Singleton and wife Chelsi, Broken Arrow, OK https://gofund.me/d3084db0 Stacy's Favorites: Attending OU football games together...in the hospital he was on a dialysis machine, and I talked to him about how he really bleeds Crimson!! I loved watching him work in the yard... I would get a lawn chair out and sit in the driveway and watch him. He was ornery, loud, silly, sarcastic... always signing around the house and playing tricks on me- (what I am missing the most right now). I was attracted to my exact opposite; we were the perfect balance! I called him the baby whisperer... he loved babies, and they were drawn to him. Strangers' babies in restaurants and at ball games would watch Derek, because he was always making silly faces with them or would reach his arms out to hold any strangers' kiddos. I loved how he would fix anything for me... the computer, the car (timing belts/oil changes/rotate tires), the fence, our heater, he was up for any handyman task, putting in flooring, painting, helping me move heavy furniture at school.... we never paid anyone to help us... he could do it all and fix it all! I loved when he knew that I had a busy or rough day... he would grill chicken, make a salad, and pour a glass or white wine for us. He took really good care of me- I will miss that the most!!!!!! We were a good team for 16 years! Our greatest accomplishment together was parenting our three babies!!! I will miss his morning goodbye kisses.... and funny stand-up comedy texts he would send me during the work days!!! I loved how he would give all our kids the most ridiculous nicknames... and dogs... it's like he was speaking another language with them! I loved how he was an amazing provider and hard worker- he loved working hard! He worked on oil rigs the first years of our marriage..... he traveled all over OK, West Texas, and Wyoming. Oil rig life is hard... you work 2 weeks out of town and are home for 2 weeks.... he would call every night... send flowers, leave notes around the house for me to find while he was gone... he even mailed letters home snail mail... he sent flowers to my work... and would do a big grocery haul and house clean before he left town- only the strongest of marriages can sustain that type of life- we did it exceptionally well- he was SO proud of himself working his way up from rough-neck, to tool pusher, and finally as a driller. He LOVED being a driller.... he was in charge of "his crew" and would buy them gifts, cater food in for them.... the crew all lived in a trailer together and became his 2nd family for so many years. When we had all the kiddos and the economy slowed down- he moved to working on "mock" oil rigs/pumps at TU. He also LOVED this career... he helped in gathering research for Chevron oil. His work friends were also his 2nd family... they probably know all his bad habits and naughty language more than I do! Dr. Volk was his boss- and he respected him so much... he would mention how Dr. Volk would have a DAILY discussion about sports with him, talk politics, and he greatly respected and worked hard for him.... he was his boss but also a close friend! Keira's Favorites about her Daddy: making popcorn on the stove, movie nights, grilling steak... just perfect! Walking around OSU at Dad's Day- and laughing at all the cowboys, the mechanical bull, and cattle auction in the street.... they love the same music, have the same sense of humor, and a daddy /daughter bond that is unbreakable!!! He was proud when Keira would call and ask for help.... she needed tires changed, help after a car wreck, advice, a home cooked meal... he loved when she would come home from college to visit!!! He loved being a dad.... he had a hard time sharing her with her current boyfriend Kade (who we love)..... but he was so proud of the young adult she has turned out to be!!! He couldn't believe he had a daughter who was so amazing!!! Carson: Loved that his dad helped him in a robotics competition recently... and helped him with homework on Distance Learning days.... Derek and Carson both have "math brains"- they are little smarties!! Carson loved that his dad would play catch in the yard... go on walks... would sneak in candy, cookies, desserts- that they knew Stacy wouldn't allow! They would talk about NFL & college football teams, players, and stats- ALL THE TIME!!!! Derek was so proud of Carson asking Jesus into his heart very recently.... Derek talked to him about how important it is to believe! They very recently talked about the sinner's prayer... and the symbol of baptism. We talked as a family during this time about Heaven... loving Jesus, and how we are all sinners...! It was a VERY special and important conversation between a dad and son!!! The proudest was when Derek got to watch his son Carson get baptized! This was so special to our family. Derek's testimony.... we are believers and its so peaceful that we know where Derek is.....we want others to join us in heaven!!!) Connor- he looks the most like his daddy!! He is also an incredible baseball player like his daddy... his favorite was when his dad would watch him fish at the lake, play catch, let him ride his hoverboard around the house..... and play with his tools in the garage! Connor is ornery like his daddy... his best little characteristic. He loved when dad would eat chips and queso with him.... and watch silly Tik Toks.... Connor and Derek are both good dancers... they would dance silly in the kitchen... and Connor loved and learned to mow with his dad in the backyard... Connor loved when dad would play loud music in the garage and work in the garage together. Derek loved "cocktail hour" and smoking cigars with Fernando (his dad) on the back porch...and phone calls with his mom!! Derek was a momma's boy... it mattered to him what his mom's opinion was.... Terri often called Derek the third "daughter" b/c Derek loved to be in the know and involved in the newest family news/drama. He was the best big brother to 4.... he loved all his siblings and had a special relationship with each one... He was so proud of how successful Dylan was, how smart and kind Austin was- talked basketball stats with Austin. He was the third daughter and called his sisters almost daily.... Angelica and Derek shared the same sense of humor... he was SO happy she married her match.... He had a unique and VERY special bond with Andrea'- she lived with Stacy and Derek for awhile during a tough season... they were each other's best friend!!! Andrea and Derek would talk almost every morning or evening on the drive home from work. They gave each other all kinds of advice... and loved each other with NO JUDGEMENT!! It was a very special sibling relationship. Derek was very good to his in-laws... he would help them with any task... and enjoyed their company!! He loved visiting the lake house, backyard pool and family trips... He had a special bond with his Aunt Diane and Aunt Carol... he loved them both so much!! He loved just visiting and talking with them!! He reminisced with Aunt Diane about time spent with cousins... and fun memories... He would help his Aunt Carol around the house with any chores and loved holidays that she hosted. He respected and loved all his brother in laws: Bradley, Brady, and Brad! He enjoyed talking hobbies with them- such as golf, sports, and handyman tasks.... He loved drinks, bon fires, and lake time with them!! His brother in laws were also his instant best friends!! Derek always said he could count his best friends on one hand... His adult friends had been his friends since elementary school... they grew up together, played baseball together, roomed in college together, were his best men in his wedding, did life together... it didnt matter how much time went by-they picked right back up where they had left off. His best friends from elementary school and on... (Michael and Mitchell) visited Derek in the ICU... Mitchell Hall visited EVERY DAY..... ICU is a very serious, quiet, calm environment- and Mitchell came daily- loud, bringing games like uno, sonic drinks and pep talks... and his loud presence. Stacy said Derek was fighting so hard- because of Mitchell.... Mitchell would talk smack in his ear... and kiss all over his face! It was the best friendship to witness. Stacy would cry happy tears to just watch the bro club because it was SO SPECIAL!!!!! Derek is to be buried near his Nana.... Nana and Derek had the most special bond. He always talked about holidays with her from his childhood, she helped watch Keira when she was a baby, and she spent many evenings on the Ley's back porch just visiting and talking with Derek. Derek loved listening to his Nana play the piano... The Ley family imagines Derek is in heaven with his Nana. She is playing the piano... Derek is sitting with her on the piano bench... and Stacy's grandma Omega is sitting and watching them play. It's so comforting KNOWING your family is in Heaven!!!! Derek will miss us and watch us from above... we will miss him and join him one day!

Tributes

Derek Ian Ley

August 19, 1981 - May 25, 2023