Derrick Coffman, 25, passed away at 6:36 a.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2011, at his residence after a short and courageous battle with leukemia. He was born on May 9, 1985, in San Diego, California the son of Richard D. and Lisa A. (Watters) Coffman. Survivors include his father: Richard D. Coffman of Tuscon, Arizona, his mother: Lisa Trumble of East Alton, Illinois, one sister: Lacy Trumble of Orange, Texas, his paternal grandparents: Willis D. and Barbara J. Coffman of Bethalto, Illinois, three aunts, one uncle, several cousins, and numerous friends.
D-Rock was one of the original skeedz0rs, when this site was first started after we all met on the marilyn-manson.com forums. That was way back around the year 2001 - so those of us who have also been here since the beginning have had the pleasure of knowing Derrick for about ten years. It's never an easy thing to have to say goodbye to someone so young, and what makes it worse is the pain he must have endured during the last eight months of his life - but he never publicly complained or sought sympathy. He battled the cancer alone and most of us never even knew how sick he really was.
Even though most of us here at skeedz never had the chance to meet Derrick in person, we had developed close friendships with him via the forums and internet chat. For a long while he was a regular in the skeedz chat room, and there were always laughs to be had when he was around. A lot of the newer skeedz members never really got to know him very well, since he wasn't around much the last few years, but a quick glance at the tributes on both skeedz and his Facebook page show just how many people care about him.
"25 years is not enough. God bless you Derrick. I was there at the beginning so I know that he was too. He was there before L337 was L337 and before skeedz was skeedz. He's an integral reason that we are here now. Nobody ever fucking forget that." - Matt
"Rest in peace D-Rock. Skeedz won't be the same mate." - Ephem"Life is cruel. For so young a person to pass away from cancer is such a terrible thing. Rest in peace D." - Woodsy
"He will be sadly missed, but we must remember all the laughs and good times. RIP mate, I'm glad I got to know you, you will not be forgotten." - Dirriel
"Goddamn, this is weird. I haven't been around in ages but I spent enough time talking with Derrick on teh #skeedz mirc channel back in the days. I'm sorry to hear about this, Derrick rest in peace.." - Junko
"Absolutely gutted. You read something like that and it doesn't register until you get it hammered home in the worst possible way. R.I.P. Derrick." - Saul
"RIP Derrick you will be missed." - Mark
"Cancer is an ugly motherfucker of an illness. It's the most harsh unforgiving thing I've ever seen. I always hold in my heart that it didn't beat him. It might have taken his life but it didn't ever beat him." - Kyle
"Bless you, Derrick. Journey safely. Your loved ones will be held close in my thoughts." - Candi
"Rest in peace, Derrick.... Goodness knows you deserve some calm and happiness. I'm sorry I never heard you out. I always meant to, just 'later'. Miss you and love you." - Josie
"I haven't been back here in a while, but Skeedz played a role during a weird time, and D-Rock was a part of that. It seems unfair that someone so young can go so fast. RIP." - AzN
"I hope you liked my hot pink chucks today :) Your mom told me you would love them.. You would have been proud of how strong she has been. I was so honored to be one of your pall bearers, even though I'm sure you were getting a good laugh out of everybody freezing today! Your mom let us all pick something out of yours, I took a Michael Jackson tshirt.. It made me laugh when I saw it. I hung your picture up on my mirror at school, it's a really good picture of you. I love you so much Derrick and I'm sure you're partying it up right now! I miss you, but I know I will see you again one day.. Love ya cuz." - Carly Watters
"Derrick, man I don't really know what to say that will fit into this tiny box.. I'm glad you got to come home to Wood River and be with your friends and family" - Michael Beatty
"There are no words to express how this hurts, but I know that now you're not in pain. You were a great guy, I just don't understand how God could take you away from your friends and family. I guess he needed another funny angel, and with you he has the best. R.I.P. my friend." - Danielle Waugh
And from all of your mates here at skeedz, we say peace out, and we hope you're now at ease for your pain is over. Goodbye, friend.
