Dewey Todd was born in Stroud, OK on November 26, 1917 to his parents Amos Todd, Sr. and Mary Ola Hornbeak Todd. He graduated from grammar school in 1936 and attended Douglas High School in Chandler, OK.
In 1935, he met the love of his life, Mary Irene Carter. They were married April 30, 1938 in Stroud, OK and were a loving couple for 78 years to this union, four children were born; Josephine Leona Todd Crosby, Jesse Dean Todd, Sr. (Deceased), Belva June Todd Howard, Gail D. Todd Rand (his Baby) and son Frederick Todd (Lucendia).
Dewey moved to California in 1941 before the beginning of World War II. He worked in the Defense Industry for a short time at the Vallejo Mare Island Ship yard. He did plenty of farm labor before he was employed 29 years by the Dos Palos Joint Unified School District Maintenance Department. He returned in 1979. “Hard work” that’s what keeps me going, he would say.
In 1941, Dewey joined St. James Primitive Baptist Church and was baptized under the leadership of Elder L.O. Higgs; he was ordained a Deacon in 1954, serving St. James for 38 yrs. In 1980, he moved his membership to St. Paul Primitive Baptist Church in Oakland, CA under the leadership of Elder Madison Smith. He served the church there for 25 yrs. His health began to fail and he moved his membership back to St. James in Dos Palos under the leadership of Elder Madison Smith, where he served faithfully until his death. Deacon Dewey loved the Old Baptist Church and the Union Association.
Dewey was always concerned about the community in which he lived. He was active in developing the Mid-Way Community Services District which was to get city water into the community; he served as president and board member representing the district. He also served many years as a board member of the Dos Palos Cemetery District.
Dewey was an avid fisherman and at times would donate his catch to the church and to family reunions. He and his wife, Mary Irene loved to travel, attending church associations and other church meetings. They traveled through all the United States except Hawaii and Alaska.
Dewey was preceded in death by his son, Jesse Sr., his brothers, J.T., Narvin, James and Amos Jr. and two sisters, Pearline and Ruby.
He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife Mary Irene of 78 years, 3 daughters, Josephine Todd Crosby, of Modesto, CA, Belva Todd Howard of Los Banos, CA and Gail Todd Rand of Oakland, CA, Fredrick Todd (Lucendia) of San Diego, CA, 5 grandsons, Jesse Todd Jr. of Sacramento, CA, Tony Todd of Reno, NV, Leonard Dewey Todd of Bend, OR, John Hodges (Sheryl) of Dos Palos, CA, Chad Rand of Oakland, CA, 2 granddaughters, Sable Todd Blackshire of Oklahoma City, OK, Felicia Todd of Bowie, ML, 14 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, one sister Margie Todd Adams of Ceres, CA and a host of other relatives and friends.