Derek George Platt (3 Jan 1948 - 2 Feb 2021)

In loving memory of our Husband, Father, Grandfather and friend Derek George Platt who sadly passed away on 2nd February 2021.

Derek, or Dek as he is best known to you, was born at Dudley Road Hospital, to Harry and Eleanor. An only child he grew up in Erdington, attending Osborne Primary and Junior Schools, followed by Paget Road Secondary Modern School.

When Dek was 14 his father died, and he believed it was his place to take on the roles and responsibilities as the man of the house. He lived with his mother and grandmother but was taken under the wing of his uncle Fred, as though he was one of his own. He had his own name for his nephew – Dirk. His cousins became like brothers to him, always remaining close. Dek had happy memories of family holidays, which were always full of adventure. It was during this period of time that Dek learned to SCUBA dive, a hobby that has stayed with him through his life.

Christmas was always traditional when time was spent with his close family and extended family.

Dek began his working career as an electrical apprentice for Matthew Boulton. Part of his work was to hand feed cable through ducting, which would make his hands bleed; it was worse if the job was not done properly the first time and needed redoing so always advantageous to get it right first time. His boss was also not averse to giving Dek a clip around the ears if something was not done to his satisfaction – a tough apprenticeship, but good grounding for the future.

Dek’s career took him to many companies as an electrical engineer, including Honeywell and Johnson Controls to name a couple however, when he became an electrical project engineer, his work literally took him all over the world.

Retirement should have seen Dek with his feet up, enjoying the rest of his life. For him, the opposite was nearer the truth. With his globetrotting days behind him, Dek began work for Michael as a factory handyman, and also helped his close friend Clive at Moorcroft Electrical when he was needed.

Having an evening out at The Rum Runner Nightclub on Broad Street in Birmingham, changed Dek’s life, for it was here that he met Teresa, better known as Terry. Following a five-year courtship, they married at Birmingham Register Office in 1977. The ceremony was a small family affair and the couple settled into a house in Erdington.

They had two children, Steven, who was born with Cystic Fibrosis and Carrie-Ann. Because of Steven’s needs, Carrie-Ann was sent to nursery at an early age. Two friends, Peter and Pearl were always there for support. Steven sadly died when Carrie-Ann was just 4 years old.

At this time Dek would say, ‘Gone but not forgotten’, although he always struggled to cope with his loss.

With the feeling of a need to start a new life, Dek took his family to live in South Africa, close to Terry’s sister. However, after two years the pull of England brought them home.

Carrie-Ann has memories of being spoiled at Christmas, always feeling that dad gave her what he couldn’t do for Steven. The festivities were always a family affair, together with extended family for the occasion.

Finding a peace in the countryside of Cornwall. Every year the family returned to Pentewan Sands. They enjoyed the freedom of a touring caravan and also bought a static van in Barmouth, Wales.

When Carrie-Ann had Ayla and Riley, Dek always referred to them as ‘the twins’, rarely by their names. They gave him a new lease on life, doting on them, sharing holidays, teaching them to swim in the warmth of the sea in Kefalonia and fish. He was also their school taxi. Dek liked to teach the twins life skills; they could often be found in the shed with him, helping out.

Alongside his SCUBA diving, Dek also enjoyed swimming and walking; his garden had to be practical and tidy and he loved pottering in his shed.
Terry and Carrie-Ann recall that when Dek did actually get to sit down and watch the tv he loved to watch his James Bond films, Rambo, and “The Bridge on the River Kwai”.
He also had a love of reading, which was also known as sleeping. Dek would pick up a book with all good intentions, then promptly fall asleep.

He liked ‘sloppy’ music – Whitney Houston, Johnny Mathis, Celine Dion and The Carpenters.

Without being able to pinpoint anything definite, Dek had not been his usual self for the last six months. Before this, in 2020, almost as if he subconsciously knew that he was not long for this world, he wrote letters to all of his family. He spent a little over a week of his life in Good Hope Hospital where he died peacefully.

Dek once described himself as a ‘Rogue’ and a ‘right sod’. His family describe him as a normal man who made mistakes as every good man has his flaws and faults. He was a family man, supportive, thoughtful and kind. He was Terry’s rock, a loving husband, dad and grandad; a true and loyal friend who was loved by many.

Dek wrote letters to his family, one a private one, and I would now like to use some of his words to share with you today.

“I did not make it through the Coronavirus crisis, the same as many others. I have been privileged to have a long life considering my health issues and this is a credit to modern medical science.
I have been privileged to have each one of you as a member of my family or as a good friend and I thank you for your comradeship throughout the years.
A special thank you to Peter and Pearl who shared pain with us when Steven passed away.

Please don’t be sad about me, I will have now been reunited with my loved ones and I will live an eternal life in heaven.

God bless all my family and friends until we meet again”.

Derek

In your sadness at the loss of Dek from your lives, do not dwell on the future without him – focus on the past; on the time you have spent with him and the life and laughter you have shared. The memories you have made are immeasurable and can never be taken from you.

Let Dek’s love for you all wrap itself around you ; let his memory live on in your hearts forever.

Sleep tight Shag until we meet again!!
A legend in our eyes.