Derek Poindexter

Derek K. Poindexter, age 52, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 15, 2017 at the Cleveland Clinic while awaiting a double lung transplant. Derek was born in Philadelphia, Pa. to Donald Poindexter and the late Montez Webster Poindexter.

Derek grew up in Philadelphia, Pa. He graduated from Walbrook High School in Baltimore, Maryland in 1982. After high school, Derek attended Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa. where he studied mechanical engineering for two years.   Derek then attended Cheyney University of Pennsylvania where he studied music merchandising. At Cheyney Derek played the tuba in the Marching and Concert bands, guitar in the Jazz and Pep bands and was a tenor in the Choir. Derek graduated from Cheyney in 1988. He then attended the University of Akron where he received a Master’s Degree in Music Education in 1990.

After graduating from the University of Akron, Derek decided to stay in Northeast Ohio and moved to Cleveland where in 1991 he became the bass player for The Waynes. Derek has been fortunate to be in several bands such as Pleasure Void, Plasma, Mercury Rising, Pale Hollow, Lucky Numbers, Witch Disco, The Really Big Show Band, Blackgrass Baptism, Ms. Butterscotch and the Bonafide Blues Band, Serlin Spur, Popoisehead and The Avenue to name a few.

Derek was also involved in several musicals such as Tony and Tina’s Wedding, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Carousel Dinner Theatre’s production of Beehive where Derek met his wife Danielle Garner Poindexter. Derek and Danielle were married on May 16, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Derek worked as an adjunct professor at Cuyahoga Community College in the Music Department and was in charge of transportation for the artist during the Tri-C Jazz Festivals. Derek also worked as a videographer/editor for Case Western Reserve University. Derek had a strong faith and love of God and could be found on Sunday morning’s playing bass for Elevate North and New City, Unity of Medina Ohio and Richmond Heights Church of the Nazarene where he was a member of the worship team.

Derek is survived by his wife, Danielle; his fur daughter, Cami Marie Poindexter; his father, Donald Poindexter; brothers, Darryl and Dwayne Poindexter; niece, Danielle “Dani” Poindexter; aunts, Pinkie Daniels and Norma Webster; uncle, William “Buster” Webster; in-laws, James and Lenora Garner, Sr., Mona Williams, and James Garner, Jr.; and numerous cousins and other relatives.

Derek was preceded in death by his mother, Montez Webster Poindexter and uncle, Pinkney Webster.

A funeral service will be held at Richmond Heights Church of the Nazarene, 499 Trebisky Road, Richmond Heights, Oh 44143 at 12:00pm, May 22, 2017. A visitation will be held at Richmond Heights Church of the Nazarene, 499 Trebisky Road, Richmond Heights, Oh 44143 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm, May 21, 2017. Burial will follow the funeral at Lake View Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by DeJohn Funeral Homes and Crematory.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to GoFundMe; https://www.gofundme.com/benefit-for-derek-poindexter