Derek Mercer, 40yrs. passed away peacefully on May 12, 2017 at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland with his family by his side. His funeral will be held at Hodges Family Funeral Home on Saturday, May 20th, Visitation will begin at 3:00pm, Service at 4:00pm and immediately following the service there will be a Celebration of Life held at the Mercer residence with food and refreshments. Derek was born in October of 1976 in Dade City to Rita and Dexter Mercer. Derek was known as an avid hunter and fisherman who loved the outdoors. He was a dedicated husband, father and PeePaw. Derek was admired by many for his strength and courage during the time he suffered from this tragic genetic disorder called NEMO disorder. Derek had a long and happy marriage with Tracy, Derek and Tracy had a marriage that some people could only hope to have. Their love was strong, powerful and very pure and beautiful. They have so many good, funny and crazy memories, thankfully very little sad memories. They mostly made the best out of life by living it to the fullest. Then tragedy struck and Derek became sick for unknown reasons, this was a very difficult disorder to diagnose and after years of misdiagnosis Moffitt cancer center finally sent his blood to NIH. There, they saved his life for many years. And through it all they stood side by side against this disorder and together they fought long and hard.Derek has strong family ties to his father, step mother and sisters to whom will miss him dearly. Derek worked at Tampa Armature Works for 17 years as a dedicated employee and supervisor who had a strong work ethic and admired by all his co workers. Derek's family and friends will miss him greatly and are truly saddened by the loss of this amazing and courageous man, also known as "Dumpling", "Brother Dear" and "Skippy". He survived by;His wife, Tracy Mercer of 18 yearsHis daughters, Jessica Prince and Jennifer CentenoHis grandchildren, Madison Centeno and Dillon PrinceHis father and step mother, Dexter and Connie MercerHis mother and step father, Rita and Russell WrightHis sister and husband, April and Quincy RobertsHis sister, Katie TomlinsonHis nephews, Cody and Lane Mercer, Kason Ryman and Easton Parks.His grandmother, Kay His granddaddy and wife, Bill and Helen SandersonHis Uncle and Aunt, Don and Marilyn SandersonAs well as numerous cousins and many other close relatives Visitation

Hodges Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center

Saturday, May 20, 2017 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM 11441 US HIGHWAY 301 Dade City, Florida 33525 Directions Memorial Service

Hodges Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center

Saturday, May 20, 2017 4:00 PM 11441 US HIGHWAY 301 Dade City, Florida 33525 Directions