Derek Antonio Pedraza Obituary
Derek Antonio Pedraza, age 36, of Temple passed from this life during the early morning hours of Saturday, February 18, 2023 at a local hospital. He was born at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina on the 9th day of October 1986 to parents Jose and Isabel (Covalt) Pedraza.
Derek left North Carolina shortly after he was born and went to Germany where his parents were stationed. When he was three years his family returned to the states, landing in Copperas Cove where he would grow up and attend school. He was baptized at an early age in the Episcopalian Church. He worked for Big Boys Construction for the past five years and he remodeled kitchens and bathrooms on the side for himself. Derek could do just about anything; he was a very skilled carpenter and loved making this beautiful again. He was an excellent cook, loved to BBQ and he enjoyed spending quality time with his friends and family. His daughter Serenity was his world though; Derek raised Serenity with her mother, Dena DeWeese, with endless amounts of love and dedication. Dena was not only the mother of his child but his best friend throughout all of the ups and downs. Derek had a givers soul and would never let anyone go without anything if he could help it. He will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him.
He is preceded in death by one uncle, as well as his maternal and paternal grandfathers.
Left to cherish his memory is his daughter Serenity Pedraza of Temple, father Jose "Tony" Pedraza and stepmother Lara of Georgia, mother Isabel Covalt of Temple, sister Johan Pedraza-Kirby and husband Seth of Gatesville, brother Eryc Covalt of Temple, and sister Amanda Pedraza-Johnson and husband Jevon of Temple. He is also survived by his paternal grandmother Ana Hilda Pedraza-Fernandez of Puerto Rico, and his maternal grandmother Isabel Jane Covalt of Oregon.
A visitation will be held at Hewett-Arney Funeral Home on Friday, February 24th, 2023, from 1-6 p.m.
Hewett-Arney Funeral Home of Temple is entrusted with these arrangements.
