He attended LDS Business College for a time and later registered at the University of Utah (U of U) in 1934.

However, with his desire to serve as a missionary for the LDS Church, he quit school in the spring of 1936 to work full time in order to prepare for that opportunity.

From 1966 to 1971, Derrick was the second assistant to David Lawrence McKay in the general superintendency of the LDS Church's Sunday School organization.

From 1984 to 1987, while serving as a general authority, Derrick was president of the Seattle Temple.

[3] Derrick died at his home in Salt Lake City of causes incident to age.