Philip DeRight

DeRight, Philip Barry 7/5/1942 - 11/24/2020 Greenville, SC Philip Barry DeRight Born: July 5, 1942 Died: November 24, 2020 Philip 'Barry' DeRight, 78, died on November 24, in Greenville, SC. Barry was born on July 5, 1942 in Kalamazoo, MI to Philip and Ruth (Bonfoey) DeRight where he was raised along with his brothers, Jon and David. Barry graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1960 where he was an accomplished athlete in football and baseball. He attended Western Michigan University where he continued to play baseball. He met his wife, Jane Fassezke, in 1976 and they were married on November 17, 1978. Barry and Jane had 2 children, Kelly and Chris. They lived in Kalamazoo and Paw Paw for almost 40 years. Barry worked for the Kalamazoo County Road Commission for 25 years before transitioning to the Paw Paw Public Schools for 17 years. Barry, better known as 'the bear', was known in the Paw Paw community for his participation in youth sports and volunteering at high school sporting events. You could always find 'the bear' coaching his children and their friends or sampling hot dogs at the highschool concession stands. Barry loved the Michigan State Spartans. He was a lifetime Spartan fan and enjoyed traveling to Spartan Stadium for home football games. Barry and Jane moved to Greenville, SC in January 2017 to be near his daughter, his grandchildren and the warm weather. Barry was loved by his family and friends. Heaven gained a great man. He is survived by his wife, Jane DeRight, of Greenville, SC; his daughter, Kelly Clay (Alex), of Greenville, SC; his son, Chris DeRight, of Las Vegas, NV; his brother, David DeRight, of Kalamazoo, MI; his grandchildren, Sydney Clay (9) and Baron Clay (7), of Greenville, SC. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jon DeRight, 2004. A celebration of his life will be held in Michigan, summer of 2021. More details to follow.