Derrick Van Jones; son of the late Haywood Cleon Jones II; and Vivian Jones Mills; was born on April 5; 1950; in Monessen. He quietly departed this life on Saturday; May 5; 2012; at his residence in Upper Marlboro; Md. Derrick was the younger of two children. At an early age; he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal Savior. Derrick was educated in the Pennsylvania Public School system and graduated from Monessen High School. He then attended California State College in California; Pa.; where he played football and earned his degree in 1974. Upon college graduation; Derrick moved to Maryland and began teaching at Northern Middle School in Calvert County. He taught English; social studies; reading; industrial arts and physical education. In addition to teaching; he also coached football; boys’ basketball and track. In 2007; after 33 years of teaching; Derrick retired from the Calvert County Public School system. Derrick; also known as Brute; loved teaching; traveling and especially watching General Hospital; Spartacus and True Blood. He was an all around type of guy and loved the Black and Gold – the Pittsburgh Steelers. Every year as a volunteer; he would participate as a Counselor for Cadets with the Southern Maryland Junior Police Academy summer program. Derrick will be sadly missed by all. But; he will never be forgotten! Some of his famous phrases were: Yep; Yep!; Good to Go!; I’m not from around here!; and I would like to order a large… Derrick was preceded in death by his son; Kenneth Blackman. He leaves to mourn his passing his brother; Haywood Cleon Jones III; a devoted daughter; Timiko Blackman; a son; Dion Lucas; longtime friend; Cheryl Dent; and a host of grandchildren; nieces; other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held Saturday; May 19; 2012; at 3 p.m. at the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church; 230 Reed Ave.; Monessen. Minister Virginia Henderson will give the eulogy. The WILLIAM R. TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME; Monessen; has been entrusted with the arrangements. Trudy Taylor Bristol; funeral director.