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In Memoriam : James "Derrek" Schlottmann
James "Derrek" Schlottmann - age: 51
(January 11, 1969 to April 19, 2020
)
Resident of
Gorham, Maine
Visitation Information:
Due to the pandemic, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Dennett Craig & Pate Funeral Home, Buxton is entrusted with his arrangements.
Obituary:
James “Derrek” Schlottmann passed away peacefully on April 19, 2020, in Gorham, Maine, with his wife, Heather, by his side.
Derrek was born January 11, 1969 in Wheatridge, Colorado to Gwendolynn Miller Simpson and William T. Simpson.
As a baby he lived in Evergreen, Colorado moving to California when his father was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base.
In 1978, his mother married, Jerome David (JD) Schlottmann, Jr. who adopted Derrek and his siblings, Richard and Angela.
JD was the father Derrek always wanted. They shared a special bond.
The family moved to Pearl Camp, Nevada, an old mining camp, in 1981. Their nearest neighbors were eight miles away and the nearest town, Winnemucca, was 100 miles. Derrek and his siblings attended a one-room schoolhouse at Leonard Creek Ranch and later were home schooled.
In 1984, Derrek boarded in Winnemucca,
while attending Albert Lowry High School. The family moved to Winnemucca in 1985. Derrek graduated in 1988.
Right after graduation, Derrek joined the United States Navy and completed Nuclear Reactor Operator School in Orlando, Florida. He was assigned to the USN Gurnard, a sturgeon-class submarine. While on the Gurnard his service took him to Japan, the Philippines, Guam, and under the Arctic Circle.
In 1996 Derrek, and his then partner, Hilary Gravestock Jones, relocated from California to Fryeburg, Maine. Where they opened the Admiral Peary House, a bed and breakfast. Derrek, who loved to cook, was the chef, preparing gourmet meals for the guests and at specialty events. At the same time Derrek worked full-time for Downeast Bikes doing IT work and building custom bikes. Derrek was an avid cyclist and loved going on long rides with his good friend Jan Newhouse. During this time, Derrek, also developed his love of craft beer and developed an elaborate basement brewery where he started brewing his own beer. There was nothing he liked better than hanging out in the basement trying out new beer recipes. He also loved guitars and was teaching himself to play.
After selling the inn, Derrek went to work for Kardex-Remstar, a German/Swiss Company. There he oversaw the development of a global sales program which provided him with the opportunity to travel extensively not only to Switzerland and Germany, but also to Spain, France, India, Norway, Turkey and parts of Asia. Derrek really enjoyed his work and loved to travel whether for professional or personal reasons.
Following his divorce, he met Heather Monegue in October 2018 and they just “clicked.” After dating only five months, they were devastated when Derrek was diagnosed with malignant brain tumors (glioblastoma.) Heather proposed and they were married April 20, 2019.
Deciding to live their lives as if cancer didn’t matter, they continued to travel. During their year-long marriage they went to Hilton Head, Mexico, Ireland, the western Caribbean and a 30-day tour of the country: visiting family, friends and National Parks. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic shortened his last hurrah to Hawaii.
Derrek was an incredibly special person who brought joy and laughter into many people’s lives. His love of beer, cycling, good food, music, friends and traveling brought him close to many.
Derrek is survived by his soulmate/wife Heather Monegue Schlottmann, step children Rachel Monegue, Alec Monegue (Desiree) and granddaughter, Vanessa Avery Monegue; parents Gwendolynn and JD Schlottmann, sister, Angela M. Paxson, brother, Richard J. Schlottmann (Jennifer), adopted sister Wendy Bode (Jim); half- brother Nick Roper; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
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Gwendolynn Schlottmann - May 7, 2020 Contact this person
Derrek was my oldest son, and he was absolutely amazing. I was proud to be his mother. I am going to miss him terribly but I'm relieved he's now at peace. Love you baby boy.
JD Schlottmann - May 7, 2020 Contact this person
Vaya con dios, hijo mio. My tears are for those you leave behind, my smile because you are free.
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