In Memory of AAGD Member Lonnie Derden
Lonnie Ray Derden, 71 of Plano, Texas passed away on March 29, 2025. He was born on February 25, 1954, in Corsicana to Lecil Sutton Derden and Eula (Hawthorne) Derden.
Lonnie grew up in Corsicana and graduated from Corsicana High School and still maintains many of those lifelong friendships. Lonnie looked forward to Wednesday evenings as some of the old high school crew would gather at the Old Mexican Inn to banter about lots of things world affairs, golf, football and more football. Lonnie so enjoyed being piped in via cell phone - lots of good times and laughs.
Following high school, Lonnie pursued his higher education at East Texas State University (now Texas A&M) that did give him some grief as he was a rabid UT fan! He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a member of KA fraternity. He enjoyed keeping in touch especially the annual golf tournaments.
On July 21, 2984, Lonnie married the love his life Donna Davis and became a step parent to Michael and Shawn. Donna loved to say he didn’t choose me, he chose us. Together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and shared passion for creating a lasting legacy of family and many friendships. He delighted in the grandkids calling him “Big Daddy”.
His entrepreneurial spirit led him to a distinguished career in sales and business ownership winning many awards. He grew and sold two software companies.
Lonnie spent many years volunteering in the multifamily housing industry. He served on the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas (AAGD) Board of Directors, Product & Services Chairman, and a delegate to the Texas Apartment Association (TAA) and the National Apartment Association (NAA). During his AAGD years, he created the first annual AAGD golf tournament & auction and the AAGD Holiday Toy Drive which continues to this day collecting and donating thousands of toys to needy families. He truly loved his involvement and the many friends he made.
He loved his family. In addition to Donna, he leaves Michael Davis and children Pierce and London Olivia; Shawn Davis (Carly) and children Jack Davis and bonus grands Taylor and Corbin. His sister Maureen Masters and Suzy Weiss (Gary). He is preceded by his death parents, sisters Maxine Nicolas and Glenda Hall and brother Jimmy (Mary Jo) and niece Debbie who was more like a sister (Bubba) Lapeyrouse. The Cupples/ Gordon family in Memphis and many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly and all the fur babies in his life especially his beloved Sofi Sugar Bear
Special thanks to the many friends for their outpouring of love and especially the Associations friends, Wine & Dine Group, Corner Wine friends (miss those “Board Meetings”, Brooke and Tom Day and our precious god kids Lexi Day Daniel and Siler Day. He loved Pebble Beach and Napa Valley so hit a few golf balls and lift up a glass of good wine as in his honor. Lonnie was a man of faith and always had a positive outlook on life. We will miss him terribly.