February 2, 1954 – March 20, 2012

A “Fortis “since 1964, named Derrick at birth, he acquired the names, “Renny” and “Shango” from his sojourns at KC, and DJ for his Shanghai disco set respectively.

It is said that it is the thought behind a man’s actions that define his character, and in his deeds are his thoughts revealed, and thus, his true character made known. Renny never spoke of his achievements or of what he had or did not have – he was humble and unassuming. We, who know him, can all attest to his unquestionable dependability and kindness. The uniqueness of his kindness was that it was always shown to those usually not in a position to return the favour. Those of us within the KC fraternity often received a call or visit from Renny requesting a favour – but not once was this a request for himself - always for someone else in need.

He often summed up his view of life by saying; “Life is simple – it is people who complicate it - all we have to do is follow the Father’s directive of living in brotherhood and love.”  He understood and lived the GOD principles: “I am my brother’s keeper; it is more blessed to give than to receive; and blessed is he who provides for the poor and those less fortunate;” – he was always - a Good Samaritan.  Renny’s notion of a brother was that: “A   brother is a friend who when it is deemed inconvenient will still seek to go that extra mile.” His strength and his will were anchored in his unflinching trust in the deliverance of the Father, his unwavering belief that the Father will provide for him, his needs for each given day. He relied at all times on his Fortis Spirit to provide him the endurance needed to face all tribulations until the Father’s deliverance is manifested. 

His perspective on death closely relates to his views on the living of one’s life in relationship to one’s exodus from this life. Of death Renny would always say “as Dickie Coke did, “A man must live him life good, so that him funeral no flop.”And, he also stated, “I am a funeral man - I like the whole nine yards, the singing at the church, the graveside mingling, everything.”  While the latter may have eluded him, his funeral certainly was a success.

On the eve of Renny’s funeral, I was sent the message that I would be limited to five minutes to cover my 578 months, 2,506 weeks of his remembrance. While in anguish at the thought of this imposition, I was directed by the spirit within that I should do, instead, his Eulogy from the Bible. Consultation of my Bible led me to find a book mark placed exactly against Mathew 25: 31-36 which, I invite you to read and to learn of the final sojourn of Renny my brother and friend.

Editors note

The scripture referenced is:

 31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’