Derek Pierson Jones
- tammara65
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
December 14, 1967 - June 13, 2025
Derek Pierson Jones of Spokane, Washington, transcended this life June 13th,
2025, at the age of 57. He was an expert mountaineer, a million-vertical-feet skier,
a surfer, a wild wit and a poet. Home, for Derek, was without border (Spokane,
Paris, Brooklyn, Seattle, New Mexico, Oregon, the mountains, the ocean and the
open road). At sixteen, Derek set off on a bike trek down the western coast of the
United States with his lifelong friend Tim. The great outdoors was his honored
sanctuary and his playground. He could live on a dime and didn’t need much more
than a bike, a composition notebook, and family. For him family wasn’t just blood,
but the people he chose along the way.
A gifted writer and philosopher, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature
from the University of Washington in 1996, studied Liberal Arts at Seattle Central
Community College in 1988, and Cours de Civilization et Langues Francais at La
Sorbonne in Paris, France in 1990. Derek was an intuitive thinker and seeker of truth, and with that came an overwhelming compassion for the sake of the world around him. He felt everything fiercely and ferociously.
Derek knew the fight he was up against with addiction and found strength,
community and purpose as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous throughout most
of his life. His quick wit and humor brought a welcome levity when times were just
about too much to bear. Derek was a tough and tender listener. He had the uncanny
ability to read people straight through to the core, to transcend the bullshit, and do
it eloquently. That was Derek. His energy and welcoming smile were things we
can remember. A friend wrote, “when he was clear, he was like the sun.”
He is survived by his son, Griffin Bengochea, sisters Bryn Nakamura and Sarah
Farley, and brother, David Jones. Missed dearly by nieces, nephews, and
adventure buddies. Immediate family will celebrate Derek privately, returning his
and his mother’s ashes back home to eastern Oregon.
In his memory, donations may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous or organizations
supporting mental health and addiction recovery. Or just get out on a bike… zero
emissions!
What a beautiful tribute to Derek! He was such a bright light in my life, and I’m forever grateful for his love, care, compassion, wisdom, humor, deep conversations, understanding, and hugs over the years. He will always have a special place in my heart. Sending all my love to Derek’s family. ♥️
Derek was a remarkable man. So talented. This is a beautiful tribute to his complicated life. He will be missed. Sending much love to you, my dear cousins. ♥️
Beautifully written, thinking of you are all. 🧡