Derek Cohen

Sep 26, 1963 -

Nov 20, 2024

Derek Morris Cohen, 61, of Anchorage, Alaska, died of respiratory failure on Nov. 20, 2024, at Alaska Regional Hospital.

Born on Sept. 26, 1963, in Seattle, Wash., he was the son of the late Carolyn Moe, and Jack Cohen.

Derek was an avid sports fan, especially football, from his youth till his death. He played football for Clark Junior High and East High School. He was a manager for the East High basketball team under the late legendary Coach White during the 1979-81 championship season. Derek began his own coaching career as a Pop Warner football coach and Little League baseball coach. Later, Derek became an assistant coach for the East High football team when they won the 1990 State Football Championship. During his time as a coach, he influenced many young men to become better players, and better men according to the countless condolences we have received since his death.

Derek worked for Curtis & Campbell his entire career, from his high school graduation in 1981, until the company closed its doors in 2021. He held several positions over his years there, including General Manager. During his years at C&C, he forged many lasting friendships that continued until the day he died.

While Derek never married, he was considered as a grandfather to the Thayer girls, the daughters of his own niece Deyana. He supported them in all their endeavors, whether it was sports or Girl Scout trips around the world. Every year he bought countless boxes of cookies from all his great-nieces, donated items for their many fundraising auctions or just gave money to pay for their trips. If you knew Derek, you knew he was amazingly generous to anyone needing a helping hand. He would literally give you the shirt off his back.

He is survived by his siblings, Vicky Gilbert of Washington, Cynthia Neville of Arizona, Kimberly Ballard of Anchorage, Kathryn Slosson of Washington, Brandon Cohen of Washington, and Constance Masuhara of Anchorage; many nieces and nephews, including Deyana Thayer and Heath Austin of Anchorage; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Patricia Austin of Anchorage, and Daria Austin of Washington.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at 1 p.m., at Baxter Road Bible Church, 3600 Baxter Road, Anchorage, AK 99504.

Sports attire is encouraged, especially T-Bird, Seahawk, Kraken and Mariners gear, as those were his favorite teams.