Dereck Christopher Allen, Sr. was born August 7, 1966. Known to many as “Coach D”, he was the first child born of Sandra Allen Jordan and Jack Phillips. Dereck grew up in New Orleans and Marrero, Louisiana. He graduated from West Jefferson High School and attended Grambling State University and Eastern Kentucky University on track scholarships. Dereck was an accomplished salesman and a passionate coach. He was a life-long lover of the Bible and was baptized into God’s Kingdom in 1995. Coach D was admired by everyone he encountered. His charm, energy and infectious smile has left a lasting impact on many lives. He was witty, funny, intelligent and always the life of the party. Dereck loved football and track; he had a great memory and was knowledgeable about historical and currents events. Dereck was married to Veronica Veal Allen for 28 years. They had three beautiful children, Dereck Christopher Allen, Jr., Jordan Veronica Allen and Jade Victoria Allen. Dereck was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Richard Allen, Sr. and Elsie Allen Flint; aunts, Carol Whitfield and Linda Randall; uncle, Darrell Allen; mother-in-law, Mary Breaux Veal; step grandfather, John Flint and nephew, Joseph Veal. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife and children; his mother, father, step father, Michael Jordan, his only sister, Dy’Aisha Allen, step brother Keenan Black (Marissa), uncle Richard Allen, Jr. (Oneida), great aunt, Billie Jean Alfred, father-in-law Samuel Veal, Sr. (Daphne); nephews, Dalton Allen, Kailon Allen, Jaiden Allen, Joshua Veal, Jabril Parker; nieces, Ramany Brown (Kevin), Jessica Ester, Deandrea Veal, Farrah Veal, Kayla Clarke; brothers-in-law, Chad McDonald and Samuel Veal, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Sharon Clarke (Fred), Vikki Parker (Ron), Latricia Ester (Myron), Chloe Veal and a host of cousins, friends, great nephews and nieces and many brothers and sisters in Christ. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation at MOTHE FUNERAL HOME, 2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey, LA on Friday, February 3, 2017 from 9AM until 10AM. Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 10AM. Interment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Gretna, LA.