Physical Address
357 Agency Rd,
Lapwai, ID 83540
Dennis went home to be with the Lord on August 5, 2025 due to complications of diabetes. He was surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren in his final days and moments. Dennis was the patriarch of his family.
Dennis married the love of his life, Rhoda Kelley, on April 2, 1989, (because she wouldn’t marry him on April 1st!) Together they made their home in Kamiah, ID and welcomed 6 children.
Dennis was a wonderful husband, father, brother, and son. He was loved by all who knew him, he touched many lives. He was always laughing and teasing, the more ornery he was to someone the more he loved them.
Dennis loved God with all his heart. He also loved his pastors, Elder Kelley, and Pastor Phillip Kelley. He was a devoted member of the Apostolic Acts Church of Kamiah.
Dennis was an avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting big game, and fishing, especially for salmon. During the salmon run you would find him at the river nearly 24 hours a day. He was a fantastic archer and loved to pass his skills of archery on to everyone he met, especially children. He loved to forage for mushrooms, huckleberries and Kous Kous. He was a good provider for his family. But his greatest joy was attending church and spending as much time with his church family as possible. He insisted on attending his last service 8 days before passing even though he was extremely weak.
Dennis was preceded in death by his father James Tom, Grandma Janice Oatman, grandfather Marcus Oatman, Aunt Mary Galbreath, Uncle Gerald Fryberg.
He is survived by his wife, Rhoda, children, Amanda, Nicholas, Marcus (Alexandra), Gabrielle, Hannah, Jade Shepherd(Joshua), and his grandchildren David, Quinn, Jessa, Jaxon, Spencer, and Baby Shepherd (on the way). He is also survived by his mother Martha Oatman, sister Danice Oatman-Tom, and his niece, Janice, all of Kamiah. He is also survived by, his beloved aunt Sammy Fryberg, and by all the members of the Apostolic Acts Church of Kamiah, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins. He will be dearly missed by all!
