Derek Pirtle

Derek Pirtle, 53, of Amarillo, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Memorial services will be at 3:00 P.M. on Friday, January 23, 2026 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon.

Derek was born on August 22, 1972 in Amarillo to Richard Lee and Gloria Gean (Sutton) Pirtle. He was a 1990 graduate of Canyon High School where he received all district honors in football and baseball and was a member of the National Honor Society. He began studying Political Science at Texas Tech University, transferred to Eastern New Mexico University to play baseball, then returned to Texas Tech to earn a bachelor's in Sociology in 1995 with Dean's List honors. He went on to attend Oklahoma City University School of Law during 1996–1997.

Derek had a 35-year career in wholesale alcohol sales and was certified as a Level 1 Sommelier. He was an avid baseball supporter, actively participated as an umpire, and held membership with the Texas Association of Sports Officials. Derek closely followed the New York Mets, OU Sooners, Green Bay Packers, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and University of Michigan teams. In his downtime, Derek loved the theatre and performed well in several roles with the Lubbock Community Theatre. Additionally, he enjoyed cooking and listening to music, with particular appreciation for Bon Jovi and Matchbox Twenty. Derek would tell you that his greatest accomplishment was being a father to Hudson and Brooks. He was intensely proud of his boys and the men they are becoming.

Derek is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Gwen Cox, Walter Thomas Pirtle, and Verda Pirtle Love.

Survivors include his sons, Hudson Pirtle and his mother, Staci Milecky, and Brooks Pirtle and his mother, Jacey Freeman-Pirtle; his parents, Richard and Gloria Pirtle; three brothers, Steve Pirtle and wife, Abby, Tim Pirtle and wife, Amber, and Chris Pirtle and wife, Tiffany; nieces and nephews, Megan, Morgan, Peyton, Addy, Eli, Ileigh, Asher, and Stetson; and his faithful canine companions whom he loved, Atticus, Oliver and Axl.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Derek’s name can be made to the Forgotten Dog League of Amarillo, Non-Profit Dog Rescue, PO Box 30922, Amarillo, TX 79120.