Tracy Adair Derning, 52, of Lawrence, passed away peacefully Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. Her family was by her side. She was born June 15, 1973 in Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of Lonnie and Pamela (Culp) Adair.
Tracy graduated from Mt. Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, NC. and attended Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. She cultivated first-rate computer skills for her career from her father, Lonnie, who was VP of Information Services for RJR Nabisco.
She married Sean Derning on July 2, 2005 in Lawrence, KS. He survives. She is also survived by her son, Keegan Robert Derning of Lawrence; her mother, Pam of Tennessee; brother, Trevor Adair, his wife, Chelsea of North Carolina and their children Caleb Adair, Logan King and Leila King; aunts, Cindy Abernathy, her husband, Eddie and their sons, Brett and Lance; aunt, Phoebe Culp and her children, Wren, Mabry, and Jackson Culp; mother-in-law, Colleen Black; and sisters-in-law, Lisa, Amy, Jenny, and Mo.
She was preceded in death by her father, Lonnie, uncle Russ Adair, aunt Sherry Adair, uncle Bruce Culp, and grandparents, Bruce and Catherine Culp and Burton and Martha Adair.
Tracy moved to Lawrence in 2003. She first worked as an IT trainer at the Lawrence Work Force Center teaching people to build computers. Next she worked at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America as an IT instructor. Starting in 2014, she and Sean worked in his family’s business, Light Bulbs Etc and most recently as a product support specialist manager with Visual Comfort of Houston, TX.
Tracy excelled in reading from kindergarten all through school. She could often be found with her nose in a book. She developed a love of theater and performed in many productions all during high school and college. While in high school, Tracy enjoyed flag and cheer teams. Tracy also loved spending time in museums, a pastime she shared with her son Keegan.
Tracy’s son, Keegan, attended Cordley Elementary School in Lawrence, KS from kindergarten through 5th grade. During his time there, Tracy, as President and member of the PTA, was actively involved in school activities and events. She was a major player in organizing years of activities and successful fundraisers that invited families to become more connected to the school and to one another. She was regularly in the school classrooms and spaces, helping teachers and staff, and volunteering with students. At school events, she jumped in and served pancakes, cleaned up, and cooked. She got other moms together on Friday mornings for coffee.
She enjoyed cooking, talking about cooking and trying new recipes. Many of her specialties were longtime family recipes or derived from her Southern heritage. She also had fun laughing with others about their cooking disasters. She loved dill pickles and delighted in tasting all manner of dill pickle-flavored foods.
Her real magic was her unconditional and tireless devotion to and appreciation of ALL of the children. She independently advocated for the school and never shied away from standing up for the rights of children. Injustice had no place in her orbit. Teachers commented how she spent time solving challenges faced by children and families, whether it was clothing, food and/or other kinds of assistance, and did so both within and outside of Cordley. She actively sought ways to enhance classrooms and other areas of the school. Tracy possessed solid love and respect for everyone’s unique abilities and differences. If unhoused students needed socks or shoes or school supplies, she showed up immediately with her hands full. Tracy did all of this and more with quiet humility, and she did it with class. In her heart and mind, it was never about her.
When friends, teachers and fellow parents refer to her, they use words and phrases such as Caring, Respectful, Kind, Generous, Unlimited Kindness and Generosity, Fun, Glowing Smile, Welcoming, Good Humored, Undaunted, Loving, and Strong.
Ultimately, the things to remember about Tracy are her deep love for her family and her passion to be in service to others. She would love for us all to remember to be kind to each other, in her honor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Center (where Tracy’s mother, Pam spent her nursing career), 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at stjude.org/donate or Just Food Pantry, Lawrence, KS, (chosen because of Tracy’s love of food and being in service to others), 1000 E. 11th St., Lawrence, KS 66046 or online at justfoodks.org.
