Derek Charles Parrott (known to his English friends as Del) died March 25, 2011, with his daughter Kathryn and his former wife Jeanie by his side, at the family home in Langley on Whidbey Island. He died of esophageal cancer at age 63.

Born Nov. 23, 1947 in Amersham, England, Derek was adopted and raised by parents William Charles Parrott and Constance Helen Freeman Parrott, growing up with his brother Roger in Stanmore Middlesex, outside London.

Derek had a very “English” education through the British grammar school system. Leaving school when his father died in 1964, he worked as a lifeguard at Kingsbury Swimming Baths and Wealdstone Swimming Baths, and later he was employed by Victor of Milan, which imported men’s toiletries from Italy.

Derek was part of the ’60s British music scene, meeting many music legends including the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Donovan and many others. He delighted in good times with a wide assortment of friends with whom he kept contact throughout his life. He worked as road manager for the British band The Syn, and entered the recording world in 1973 with his single, “Motorbike Annie,” followed in 1977 by the single “Julie From Africa” and the album “Open Up,” recorded at Morgan Studios London. His rise was hindered when a studio merger resulted in his album being dropped.

On a visit to the Edgar Cayce Foundation’s Association for Research and Enlightenment in Virginia Beach, Va., Derek met Jeanie Dodd. They married in Virginia Beach on Easter, April 19, 1981. The following year he recorded the album “Songs From the Heart.” Their daughter Kathryn Rose, who he loved with his whole heart, was born on Nov. 4, 1983.

The family moved to Whidbey Island in Washington state in 1984, where he mowed lawns and enjoyed family life, especially raising Kathryn. He never stopped songwriting, recording and performing solo on guitar and with groups of musicians. Willing to donate his time performing for almost any reason, Derek shared his music with others over many years at innumerable community events. He was a member of the house band for TestingTesting, a groundbreaking interactive live Internet program that ran from 1998 through 2005.

Derek’s heart was in music, and over the years he recorded several albums on Whidbey Island, including “The Big Picture,” “My Backyard,” “Derek Isn’t Dead: Live in Langley,” “2000 AD” and “Ancient and Modern.” He was a prolific songwriter, and none of his songs were “fluff.” He wrote “message songs” straight from his heart, and his heart was always open.

Derek moved to Kaua’i in 2006 after his divorce, where he worked for Hanalei Bay Resort. He began playing weekly for long-stay patients in Wilcox Memorial Hospital, Lihue. He made some dear friends, began attending the Episcopal church (America’s version of Church of England), remaining non-dogmatic and open to anything about hope and love.

During his years on Kaua’i, he inspired others with that hope and love through his actions and his music. Derek’s wish was that his music and its message would live on and have meaning for listeners long into the future.

Receiving a diagnosis of esophageal cancer in December 2010, he moved back to Whidbey, where he could be with family and friends and where he was happily reunited with his favorite cat, Max.

On March 17, 2011, a large community gathering honored Derek with stories, affection and performances by fellow musicians, reflecting his influence in the lives of many people in such warm and uplifting ways. Though his energy was failing, Derek rose to the occasion as a professional, performing two beautiful new songs.

He is survived by his daughter Kathryn Rose Parrott of Seattle; his brother Roger William Parrott of Bournemouth, England; and his cousin (through his birth mother Mary Yakamini) John Halliday of Holley, N.Y.

A memorial celebration will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1 in Fellowship Hall of Langley United Methodist Church. Bring music, memories and potluck food to share. It is open to everyone who loved Derek, just as Derek was open to anyone. Memorials in Derek’s name may be made to KSER radio.