Derrell “Derry” Christian Dodson born in Port Arthur, Texas, on Sept. 6, 1942, to Ralph Jordan and Kitty Beth Christian Dodson passed away Jan. 12, 2022.

Derry was raised in Decatur, Texas, where he was a natural leader in his high school, playing basketball and quarterbacking the Decatur Eagles. When he was seventeen, the daughter of family friends caught his eye at the local swimming pool. Teresa Montgomery very soon became his wife, and the couple formed a partnership and true love affair that lasted a lifetime.

Derry began his college years at The University of North Texas and was elected “best pledge” in the Theta Chi fraternity there. He completed his degree at The University of Texas, earning a Bachelor of Finance degree.

Upon graduation Derrell, as he became known, and his young bride moved to Kansas City, Missouri where he took a job with Aetna Life & Casualty in the surety bond department. Moving back to the Dallas area, he remained in the industry his entire career, holding positions at St Paul, Marsh McLennon and The Ed Rose Agency before founding Rickenbacker-Dodson, and then Dodson-Bateman.

Derrell’s unshakable integrity helped propel Dodson-Bateman into a well-respected and successful independent bond agency. His industry peers selected him as president of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers in 1997-1998.

After selling Dodson-Bateman, Derrell donated his energy and skills to his newly adopted community, Graham, Texas. He helped raise money to restore the historic Graham Memorial Auditorium, volunteered to drive the “litter buggy,” served on the Graham Hospital Board, was an active member of Rotary and for nine years served as a CASA advocate for children in the foster care system. For his service to the Graham community, he was named Volunteer of the Year by the city’s Chamber of Commerce. 

Derrell also had a lifelong love of golf and skiing. Many of the family’s best times took place on a ski mountain, or in a van driving along the snow-covered highways of West Texas, heading toward the slopes.

Derrell was fondly known as Double D, and his unique sense of humor was his most endearing trait. Anyone who knew Double D, most likely has a favorite or two of his hilarious truisms. 

Derrell was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Kitty Beth Dodson. He is survived and beloved by his wife of 59 years, Teresa; daughter Denise Pope and her husband Dan of Lubbock; son Drew Dodson and his wife Jana, of Richardson; grandchildren Manning Pope of Denton, Christian Dodson of Atlanta, GA, Anne Claire Pope of Lubbock, Mark Dodson of Richardson, Wesley Dodson of Richardson, and James Dodson of Richardson; and by his brother, David Dodson of Decatur, and his sister, Nell Ann McBroom of Nocona.

A celebration of Derrell’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church, Decatur, Texas, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. with reception to follow at 605 Main St.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Double D by making a donation in his honor to Virginia’s House/CASA 729 Elm Street, Graham, Texas 76450, or to the charity of your choice.