| | |
Jerry Derrick, a West Virginia Operator
On April 16th, the arcade industry lost one of their best operators, enthusiasts and activists, Jerry Derrick. Aged 70, he passed away in hospitable following a sudden heart attack.
Many in the industry have mourned the loss of the 'operator's operator', who began in this business working in his father's company in West Virginia. Mr Derrick grew the business substantially over the years by competing for new locations and acquiring routes owned by fellow operators.
Described as a 'shrewd and strategically savvy' businessman, Mr Derrick was a highly involved and accomplished operator. The late Leoma Ballard of West Virginia, who was the first female president of the AMOA, mentored him during his early days. She encouraged him to participate in the state and national trade associations.
Mr Derrick took her advice and was actively involved both politically and financially in a number of issues, most memorable being the obtained passage of legislation that legalized the operation of video lottery terminals in West Virginia. His involvement and passion saw him become AMOA President from 1996-1997, and at the time of his death, Mr Derrick was the largest operator in the state of West Virginia.
"Jerry was an operator's operator until his last breath," said fellow West Virginia Lee Wesson who followed Jerry to the AMOA presidency.
"Jerry was out on the route every single day visiting customers and fixing equipment, and figuring out how to give somebody a loan or what kind of equipment needed to be in a location. That's who he was, and that's what he did. He enjoyed being a coin machine operator," Wesson concluded, "He was a good guy, and that's the bottom line. He was good at the business. He worked hard. We are all very sad."
The funeral took place on Friday, 19th April.
298
|
|
|
|
