Derel Lee Tatum

Derel Lee Tatum, age 67, passed from this earth on Monday, February 27, 2023, in Olney, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2023, in the chapel of Lunn Funeral Home in Olney with Chad Edgington, pastor of First Baptist Church in Olney, officiating. Interment will follow at Round Timber Cemetery in Baylor County, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Lunn Funeral Home.

Derel was born on August 7, 1955, in Olney to Joe Wilhelm “Dutch” Tatum and Gwendolyn Fay (Stennett) Tatum. He attended Olney High School. He met and married the love of his life Kendra Shepherd on July 4, 2006, at South Padre Island, Texas.

Derel loved fast cars, fast boats, Harley Davidson motorcycles, and he could fix or mechanic anything. He loved family gatherings, cooking ribs or brisket, hunting, Oregon, Peterbuilts, Cat road graders, and “Tatum Orange”. There were 2 versions of a story that said “Derel Tatum could make water run uphill”, and he could! He could haul rock, build roads, develop construction sites or anything else needed, and he would not quit until it was perfect. Derel once said, “If I knew I was gonna live this long, I would have taken better care of my body”.

Derel is survived by his wife Kendra of Graham; son Jeffrey Tatum and wife Amber of Leander; daughter Hillary Tatum Franklin and fiancé Jordan Herron of Olney; son Kenneth Dixon of Graham; sisters Leatha Hirsch and husband Jim; LaDonna Tatum; brother Danny Tatum and wife Terrye, all of Olney; and grandchildren: Britni Tatum, Justin “Little T” Tatum, Presleigh Tatum, and Rayleigh Franklin.

Derel was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father Arlon Crosthwait, several aunts and uncles.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lunnfuneralhome. com.