Tod Cameron Dershem, age 62, passed away at home on Friday, May 1st, 2026.
He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Leon Dershem and Nancy (Dotson) Dershem. The second born of a rambunctious and independent gaggle of brothers, he was as responsible as he could be mischievous.
He was a life-long lover of history, adventure, and most of all, his family and friends, with a dedication to those he claimed as his that was undeniable and unwavering. He was always there to lean on—clever joke and logical solution already in hand.
Although Tod and his brothers didn’t have a lot growing up, there was an abundance of love in their home. Despite the large gaps in their ages, they flexed their adventure- seeking skills together, touring old forts with a camaraderie they carried into their adult years. Their free-spirit mother was the glue that held them together as they traversed off into the world, her most important lesson pinned to their hearts:
No matter where life takes you, family is there for one another. Always.
In 2005, Tod embarked on the adventure of a lifetime when, despite the distance, he met and fell in love with his soulmate, Terri, vowing to love and cherish her for the rest of his days. In doing so, he stepped into a role that not many would even consider, let alone pursue and became not only a step-father but a Dad in the truest sense of the word.
He spent his weekdays hard at work at Sun Chemical with a crew he thought highly of, and his weekends keeping history alive through reenactments, volunteering in the community with Hearts Battery, or simply enjoying the odd historical roadside marker on a trip with his adoring wife and his two chosen children, Daniel and Elizabeth.
In 2018, he earned the Alexander’s Battalion, Longstreet’s Corps, Soldier of the Year award, which was presented to him at Gettysburg.
Tod is preceded in death by his grandparents Conway and Bernice Dotson, his mother Nancy, and father-in-law, Leon LeMaster.
He is survived by his wife, Terri Dershem, children, Daniel and Elizabeth, favorite brothers and sisters-in-law Mark & Kim, Chad & Stephani, Sean & Nancy Jo, nephew, Kelly Michael, dad and step-mother, Leon & Jamie Dershem, and life-long friends, John Hawkins and William Holland, along with a plethora of other relatives and many, many friends.
Graveside Services for Tod will be held 11am, Thursday, May 7, 2026 in the Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, Oklahoma with Dr. Brad Minson officiating. Pallbearers will be Tom Denton, Art Street, Derek Mayhugh, Dean Nicely, Brad Minson and John Linsey; Honorary Pallbearers Horace Lindly, Tyler Terrapin, Skip Barnard, David Winford, Chris Fort and rest of Heart Battery
Online condolences can be made at www.holtfuneralandcremation.com
“Through Love, Serve One Another”
The Family of Kristina Scott has entrusted her arrangements to Holt Funeral and Cremation, 522 Dewey Ave Poteau, OK 74953, (918) 721-0026. Poteau’s Only 100% Locally Owned and Family Operated Funeral Home – Our Family, Loving Your Family Through
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