Visitation: Friday, May 13, 2022
Visitation Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Visitation Location: Postell’s Mortuary Chapel
811 North Powers Drive
Orlando, Florida
Service Date: Saturday, May 14, 2022
Service Time: 10:00 AM
Service Location: EBON Temple, Inc.
7001 Wallace Road
Orlando, Florida
Obituary:
Derrick Leroy Tinsley, 59, of Orlando, departed this life on Friday, May 6, 2022. Derrick was born on May 19, 1962 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Jacqueline and Leroy Tinsley. Derrick was a proud graduate of of John Jay College, Manhattan, where he was inducted in the Baseball and Basketball Hall of Fame. Derrick served his country honorably in the US Army.
Professionally, Derrick served his community as an educator with OCPS, and was an Administrative Dean of Students at Edgewater High School at the time of his demise. His gift for teaching impacted countless students. His devotion to the craft was driven by his enthusiasm for positively impacting students and working alongside other passionate educators. He was an avid golfer and a member of the 100 Black Men, Inc. in Brooks County, New York. Derrick was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Pumpkin, as he was affectionately called, is survived by his beloved wife, Lovely Tinsley; daughters, Eulaique (Tyrone) Owens, Olivia Tinsley; brothers, Robert Tinsley, Anthony (Shirin) Long; sisters, Regina Tinsley, Varonica Sambells-Mason; 4 grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022 from 4-6PM at the mortuary. A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022, 10:00 AM at EBON Temple, Inc., 7001 Wallace Road, Orlando with Bishop Thomas S. Lee Jr., officiating. Interment: Orlando Memorial Gardens, Apopka.
30 Comments
I worked with Derrick at OCPS and he was a true gentleman. I am truely blessed to have known him. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My deepest sympathy to his family. Rest in peace my friend.
Derrick had a successful career at the Orange County Sheriffs Office in the 90’s. I was his lieutenant in the patrol division. He worked the south Apopka area where he made a difference in that community. After a few years in patrol he asked about becoming a school resource officer. He told me he thought he could touch more children in the program. . This led to him leaving the agency to become a full time educator. He was my friend and he was like a son I never had. I will miss my friend. Richard Klawe
Derrick was my friend, fellow deputy, and fellow educator. I worked with him in Sector 4 Patrol and as a School Resource Officer. We reconnected when he was the Dean at Conway Middle where i was the .SRO. Derrick started the BowTie club for students and considered great respect from them as he left then to respect themselves and others. What a great influence. He was also my brother in Christ. Enjoy eternity brothers. Lovely, my heart is with you as you grieve. Edd
Derrick was a gentle giant. I worked with Derrick at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and had the occasion of meeting him through a mutual friend of ours, Ms. Lynn Boswell, Manager of Seville Place Apartments. We would have intelligent conversations as he was highly educated and intelligent. I would bump into him over the years from time to time and it would be a reunion all over again. What a superhuman being he was and so impactful to everyt life he touched. IMy prayers forGod’s strength to engulf the family in their times of weakness.
Dr. T…as he was affectionately called, will be missed beyond measure in the Eagle’s Nest at Edgewater High. His gentle spirit and his mastery sense of humor, made my conversations with Dr. T. second to none. It was only Dr T. who called me SHORT, in creative ways that always ignited a belly-laugh. On Thursday May 5, at about 4:30pm, as I was banging on the outside doors, to gain access inside the main school building, Dr. T. emerged from his office. As he opened the door, he said, “Eneas I almost did not see you because I was looking UP and you were DOWN”. I was on speaker phone with another colleague..Hinds Cruz, and I asked her, Did Dr. T. just found another creative way to call me short?” She said yes! And the three of us flooded the hallway with laughter!! I am so grateful to have shared a beautiful, yet final laugh, with such an amazing human and an effective educator. Until we meet again, RIP Gentle Giant. I will continue to walk TALL in your memory.🙏
I was saddened upon learning of Derrick’s passing. I worked many years with Derrick as an SRO at West Orange HS. We played countless rounds of golf together throughout the years, Derrick had a heart of gold. He always spoke highly of his family and Love for his wife. When ever he spoke of Lovey and his daughter his eyes would light up. Derrick will be missed but not forgotten. I’m blessed to have known him and able to call him a friend. RIP my friend, until we meet again!
I’m forever grateful for the opportunity God gave my daughter Luani to meet Dr. T. during the past two years at Edgewater. His positive influence on her and many other students went above and beyond a job title. He cared in words and actions and didn’t hesitate to encourage, counsel or correct if needed. Luani looked up to Dr. T. and referred to him as her “school dad”. Our prayers are with his family as we all seek healing and understanding. Blessings
He was a man among MEN, yes a giant in size but a gentle heart so I say to my friend “ good night and I Wil see you in the morning. Capt Ken Wilson ( Retired) OCSO
I am so shocked and saddened to hear of Derrick’s passing! We worked on the same squad in Sector One several years ago. I know he will be truly missed by many!
He was a great guy, and always a good back-up. See you in Heaven Derrick. I’m so sorry for your family.
To the Tinsley family,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Derrick. A true gentleman and genuine human being I had the honor to connect with him at various John Jay College Baseball alumni events over the years. Our loss is heavens gain. Rest In Peace Bloodhound brother.
To the Tinsley family,
My sincere condolences to the Tinsley Family. I have known Derrick since 1981 when we played together in college. We managed to keep in touch throughout and our friendship grew along the way. The level of respect we shared over the years was what I enjoyed the most. We shared some great times and he will be missed.
May God Bless You my awesome Bloodhound Brother. Heaven just added another great soul to their lineup.
I am/was a student of Professor Dr. Derrick Tinsley at Strayer University. We are definitely shocked and sad to hear of his passing. He was full of energy and its just hard to believe that he is gone. My condolences to all who cared for Dr. T & whomever has ever been in contact with him. He will be missed.
~Paige~
Dr Tinsley was not only my dean at edge water high school he was the closet thing I had to a dad he was genuinely the most amazing person. So sad the world has lost such a beautiful soul !🥺🥺🤞🏾 Rest easy Dr T.
Dr. T. was a great educator, friend, and just an overall outstanding person. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work together with Dr. T. and my condolences go out to his family. Dr. T. not only had a great impact on his students, but on all the people he came in contact with. He will be deeply missed.
Your kind heart and genereous spirit will be greatly missed. We are all made better for having been part of your life. Rest in Peace Dear Derrick.
So, so sorry to hear about Derrick. I worked with him for several years at OCPS. He was a strong supporter of me and he will truly be missed. My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to his family for their loss.
“DT” was not only a school resource officer for us at WOHS, he was also such an inspiration to us and encouraged each of us to try to make a difference in one person’s life. As he said, “Making a difference in one life, could change the world 🌎, you never know.”
Mrs Tinsley/Booker, I am not sure if you remember me C/O 2000 (Jennifer Lopez). I recently learned of your husband’s passing and I wanted to extend my sincerest condolences. It is not easy losing your husband let alone anyone close. Having gone through the same loss, I can understand the pain and complexity of the loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your kids and all of those affected by this loss. Know you are not alone and if you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out. Having known Derrick from when I was in highschool he was a great man, leader and I am sure husband and family man. May he rest in peace. I am so sorry for your loss.
My sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Derrick Tinsley. Doctor Tinsley. We grew up in the same neighborhood in FarRockaway, New York. A friend of my brothers. They were basketball teammates. As with everyone else’s comments about him, I have to concur. He had a soft spoken way about him. So wonderful. So encouraging. So driven and passionate about everything he did. When he relocated to Florida, we lost contact, but with the help of Facebook, we got back in touch. I am so grateful and honored to have known a man like Dr. Tinsley. I’ve always held high regards and respect for him. Taken away from us way to soon. His memories will last in us for years to come. From my family to yours, be strong…..love and prayers to you. 🙏🏽
To the family of Dr. Tinsley,
My deepest condolences. Dr. Tinsley, had such a beautiful spirit about him. The way he always reached out to the kids was such a beautiful thing to see. I will truly miss him at Edgewater High School.
Super blessed to have worked and befriended you at Orange County Sheriff. Always positive and beautiful spirit. My deepest condolences to his wife Lovely and family. Thank you for sharing him with us.
May God comfort the family, friends, students, staff and all affected by the sudden departure of Dean Tinsley.
Your OCPS family
I remember Professor Tinsley during his time as an adjunct Professor at Strayer University. He will be missed and we extend prayers of comfort and peace to the family.
I had the opportunity to work with Derrick while he patrolled the streets of Apopka with the Orange County Sheriffs Office. I remember Derrick as a professional, caring deputy that was truly concerned about making the community better. Condolences to the family.
Derrick played for me when I was coaching basketball at John Jay College in early 1980’s and he was a young man who grew enormously from a somewhat timid teenager into an all-star. While baseball was his first love he did improve so much that he excelled in basketball his junior and senior seasons. He was kind enough to stay in touch over the years and I was so proud of his maturation. He even texted me last June on Father’s Day. His service to his country was so admirable, and his career as an educator, as evidenced by the posts above was another example of his wonderful qualities. My deepest condolences to his family.
I met Dr. Tinsley this year. It did not start off as a happy meeting lol. He suspended my son. I was very upset. However Mr.Tinsley spoke to us along with principal Berkis. He listened , and cared. He shared his experiences with my son( my son is a high achiever so felt his life was over after being suspended).He even went out of his way to provide a safe place for my son when he was having sever anxiety. He helped him to get into a club surrounded by like minded people. He was a light. And that presence will be missed. My sincere condolences to family and friends. You are in my thoughts.
I worked at Florida eye clinic where I met Dr. Tinsley. I was the one that always saw him for each one of his visits for a couple of years. We would always talk about golf and life. I had always asked him when we would go golfing. Breaks my heart to see this incredible man depart of this world. I know that he is healed in heaven and is now with his mother as well.
Deepest condolences to his family. Also just heard of the passing of his mother. We grew up together in Brooklyn. Haven’t seen the family in about 25 years. May his Soul Rest In Peace. Can anyone PLEASE forward my name and # so his family can contact me. 917 705 3120
I was a student at Edgewater and graduated in 2022 and I still think about all the encouraging words he gave me. He would be proud to hear what me and my knuckle head friends are doing with our lives and I owe some of that to him #LLDRT
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