Derrick "Chad" Cowperthwait, 21, of Gilbertsville, Montgomery County, formerly of Butler, died Monday at the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

Born in Loris, S.C., Aug. 19, 1985, he was the son of the Ronald Scott Cowperthwait and Terri Lynn Bowser Cowperthwait.

Mr. Cowperthwait was a 2003 graduate of Karns City High School, where he was a varsity linebacker/right guard and offensive and defensive tackle and played on special teams. He was honored with "Hog of the Week." In track, he was a shot put and discuss thrower.

He loved to play PlayStation 2 and was an avid pool player.

He attended Hope Community Church.

Mr. Cowperthwait worked for Reids Paving in Gilbertsville. He loved horses and worked in horse maintenance part time.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his paternal grandparents, Robert Clinton Cowperthwait of Murrells Inlet, S.C., and Dianne Martinez of Pennsgrove, N.J.; his maternal grandmother, Anita G. Bowser, Chicora; two half brothers, Jason Cowperthwait and his wife, Lisa, of Pennsville, N.J., and Ronald Scott Cowperthwait of Tampa, Fla; an aunt; an uncle; a great-aunt; a niece; and many cousins.

<B>COWPERTHWAIT </B>— Pottstown area friends of Derrick "Chad" Cowperthwait, who died Monday, June 25, 2007, will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Hope Community Church, where services will follow at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Rick Knarr officiating.Visitation will also be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at the <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home</B>, 124 E. North St. Services will follow at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Barry Leicher officiating. Burial will follow at the West Sunbury Union Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, contributions to help defray the cost of services may be made to Terri Cowperthwait, 581 Miles Road, Gilbertsville, PA 19525.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.