ACKERLY - Derwood Blagrave, 89 of Ackerly, passed away on Oct. 18, 2025. A visitation was Oct. 21, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel. Funeral services were Oct. 22, at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel. Interment followed at Trinity Memorial Park. Derwood was born on April 4, 1936, in Big Spring, to Author and Erma Blagrave. He was a lifelong advocate for agriculture. In 1953, as a young man, he became a member of the Howard County Farm Bureau.
He attended Howard County Junior College for two years before transferring to Texas Tech University, where he earned a degree in Engineering in 1959. Following graduation, he served two years in the U.S. Military as an industrial engineer, stationed at Fort Lee, Virginia.
In 1955, Derwood married the love of his life, Joan Allred. Together, they made their home in Ackerly, where he began his farming career. He also worked part-time for 10 years with the USDA Farm Service Agency of Martin County.
Derwood was elected president of the Howard County Farm Bureau in 1965, serving until 1972, and continued to serve as a director for many years thereafter. He was active in both the county and state Young Farmer & Rancher Committees, serving two years on the state committee.
A dedicated community leader, Derwood served on numerous boards and organizations. He was a member of the Southwest Tractor Pullers Association Advisory Committee from 1978 to 1980 and helped organize the Texas Tractor Pullers Association in 1973, where he served as president and later as executive director over a ten-year period. He was also a longtime director of the Knott Farmers Co-op Gin Board, serving several years as president, and served on the Martin County Appraisal Board.
Derwood and his wife, Joan, were devoted members of the Knott Church of Christ.
He is survived by his loving wife Joan; two sons Stan and his wife Carla, and Steve and his wife Tracie; five grandchildren Shelli Barnes and her husband Bill, Krista Anderson and her husband Clay John, Brittni Hirt and her husband Colby, Sean Blagrave and his wife Megan, and Trevor Blagrave and his wife Jordan; and eleven great-grandchildren, Braxton Barnes, Kylie Barnes, Savannah Barnes, Jolee Jordan, Caleb Jordan, Layton Anderson, Harper Anderson, Ember Hirt, Parker Hirt, Miles Blagrave, and Wyatt Blagrave.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Author and Erma Blagrave, and one great-grandchild, Hope Jewel Anderson.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all of their family and friends for their love and support.
Arrangements were under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring.
Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com