Derek Edward Sheldon, 33, of Los Fresnos, Texas, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2017 in Harlingen, Texas. Derek loved his family and his nieces and nephews. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved spending as much time as he could in the water. Derek was also a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys. He served seven years in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged. He served in the U.S. Navy during Operation Iraqi Freedom. At the age of 16 he started as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Los Fresnos Volunteer Fire Department. He was employed with the City of Brownsville Fire Department as a Firefighter / Emt for the past 8 years. He leaves behind many friends, family and fellow firefighters who loved him dearly. He will be deeply missed. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents: Manuel and Nieves Sheldon; maternal grandparents: Vernon and Dorothy Casemore. Derek is survived by his loving wife Eulalia “Lalita” Silva; his stepdaughter Emily Alissa Silva; one son Silus Edward; and his loving dogs Shadow and Sable; his parents: Ezark “Geronimo” and Janet Louise Sheldon; two brothers: Jason (Marianela) Sheldon and Jarrett (Debbie) Sheldon: four nieces: Alison, Holly, Olivia and Leiann Sheldon; three nephews: Ethan, Zachary Sheldon and Ian Rodriguez; and numerous aunts, uncles and other relatives. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2017 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. at Garza Memorial Funeral Home located on 1025 East Jackson St. in Brownsville, Texas. Visitation will continue from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a holy rosary at 7:00 p.m., at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 705 S. Longoria St. in Port Isabel, Texas. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 10, 2017 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Los Cuates Cemetery in Los Fresnos, Texas. Honored to serve as pallbearers are The Brownsville Fire Department Honor Guard, serving as honorary pallbearers will be his two brothers Jason Sheldon and Jarrett Sheldon; as well as Ramon Garza, Jordan Thomas Skipper, Gualberto “Wally” Bennet Jr., John Maksimchuk and Silus Sheldon. Military honors will be conducted by the VFW Post # 2035 of Brownsville, Texas. and the Brownsville Fire Department Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Veterans Memorial at Los Cuates Cemetery to P.O. Box 425, Los Fresnos, Texas 78566 You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort, or sympathy cards to the family of Derek Edward Sheldon. at: www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.