Derek Stevens Arneson

Derek Stevens Arneson, 53, of Holly Springs, NC passed away on May 31, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 11, 1971 in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Canada. He came into this world as a tiny preemie of 3.6 pounds. He fought his first good fight and he survived to grow into a healthy young boy. Always a precocious child, school was very easy for him; so that allowed him to experiment with other things. Such as cooking, hockey, football, three-wheeling and camping. He also starting swimming at an early age, and at sixteen completed his Bronze Medallion Lifesaving Certificate which is the most respected aquatic award. Most of his high school education was at the Hudson Bay Composite High School; however he graduated from North Battleford Comprehensive High School. He then enrolled in the Biological Sciences Program at SIAST – Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. After graduation he was hired by the Neuro-Science Department at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1996 he married in beloved wife Shawndel Slobodian in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In 1998, the young couple packed up all their belongings and their “good dog” Jaspar and headed for the new adventure in North Carolina. He was employed by Piedmont Research Center, a Cancer Drug Discovery CRO and remained with the site when it was purchased by Charles River Laboratories. The pinnacle of his twenty-five year career as Associate Director of Facilities was designing and building a State of the Art Cancer Drug Discovery Facility in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Nothing brought him greater joy than being a dedicated and loving father to his sons Noah and Joshua. He was a fervent supporter to the Lacrosse Community as both his sons excel as lacrosse players. Derek was a loyal and dedicated Type A personality; who always needed to get things done ASAP, and then tell everyone else how it should be done as well. Derek could often be found on the tailgate of his truck with a cigar in his mouth and his loyal and cherished companion Bullwinkle by his side. He leaves to mourn his loving wife Shawndel, his sons Noah and Joshua. His mother Gale Arneson; and his step-father Clifford Edwards. His brother Christopher, his wife Jodi and his two nieces Hailey and Emily. Also his two nephews Leland and Natasha and Marshall and Brittnay Slobodian and their families. There are too many close friends and members of his Lacrosse Family to mention individually who will also feel the impact of his loss. Derek fought the good battle to the very end. But the opponent was much stronger. Sometimes Cancer cannot be beaten! The Family would like to welcome you all to the HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH, Apex Campus, 2080 E Williams St, Apex, NC 27539 for a casual Celebration of Life for Derek Arneson from 3:00-6:00pm on Tuesday June 11th. We will have a Remembrance of Derek’s Life at 4:00pm. If anyone would like to speak, they are welcome to do so. Please feel free to mingle before and after the Remembrance. A light lunch will be provided along with coffee and soda. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Cancer Society or organization that is dear to your heart.

Derek Stevens Arneson

May 11, 1971 - May 31, 2024