Derrick Conley,  aka Sugarboy, aka Gunner, was born September 14th, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois, to Louis  Conley Sr. and Beatrice (Scott) Conley. He was the youngest of six children born to that union. Derrick was a big sports fan and met many friends through their mutual love of sports. He especially loved basketball, where he earned the nickname, "Gunner."

Derrick attended Joseph Medill Elementary School, and when the family relocated to the Westside of Chicago, he completed his education at Nash Elementary School. He attended Austin High School and obtained a certificate in printing. He often joked that printers did it without wrinkling the sheets. In 1978, he and Genevieve Fisher were blessed with a son, Dorian Fisher. On April 30, 1988, he married Vanessa K. Crowder and became stepfather to Timothy D. Crowder. Darick Shawnell Conley was born to the happy couple on November 08th, 1990. In 1989, Derrick received his GED from Malcolm X College and his certificate in security and law enforcement. He left the printing career and worked for over 20 years, full-time at University of Illinois-Chicago Hospital in Environmental Services and part-time at the Atrium Village as security.

Derrick knew the Lord and was saved by His loving grace. Derrick was a member of Lawndale CRC, where he and his Vanessa were married.  Later, he attended several churches with his daughter Darick and his friends.

On December 28th, 2024, Derrick made his transition to eternal life.  He was preceded in his transition by his parents, Louis Sr. and Beatrice Conley, brother Louis Jr., sisters Rachel Griffin and Alvern (Cookie) Peace and nephew Jermaine Corbin.

He leaves to mourn and carry on his legacy his sisters Carol Ann and Vanessa (Spanky), his ex-wife Vanessa K., his sons Dorian and Timothy, his daughter Darick Shawnell, and  grandchildren Kennedy, Aspen, (Dorian's children), Leyla and Nathaniel (Timothy's children), Christian Kashan (Darick daughter) and a host of cousins, nieces,  nephews, aunts, uncles and a host of extended family and friends.

Visitation Friday January 10, 2025 from 10:00 am until time of service 11:00 am at Hursen Funeral Home & Crematory, SW corner of Roosevelt & Mannheim Roads, Hillside. Interment Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park.

Info: 800-562-0082