LeKendrick D. Tatum, age 43, of Palestine, Texas, passed away on May 21, 2025. Born on July 30, 1981, in Jacksonville, Texas, to Donnie Lofton and the late Patrenia Tatum, LeKendrick was a son, a father, a brother, a friend, and a soul whose presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
LeKendrick attended Jacksonville High School and later graduated from Job Corps in 2001. He dedicated much of his professional life to caring for others, working in the healthcare field at Legacy Health Care in Jacksonville, Texas. He served with compassion and commitment until his health no longer allowed him to continue.
He was a man of many talents and passions. LeKendrick had a deep love for basketball—not just as a game, but as a way to connect with others and express himself. He was also a gifted artist—writing poetry, sketching, and creating his own music. Through his art, he gave voice to his experiences, hopes, and the beauty he saw in the world around him.
LeKendrick was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Patrenia Tatum, and all of his grandparents. He leaves to cherish his memory a devoted friend, Merredith McKnight; his father, Donnie Lofton; and his siblings: Nachole Davis (David), Jacobie Cleaver, Jamelia Cleaver (Kendrick), Donnie Lofton Jr., Fredrick Lofton, Dion Cooks, Lakendra Hatton, and Dimitris Cooks.
Above all, LeKendrick was a proud and loving father to his children: Ashauna Tatum, Brayden Grimes, Caleb Tatum, and Azaria Tatum. His love for them ran deep, and they were the light of his life.
He is also survived by a host of family members and friends who will forever remember his creativity, his sense of humor, and the quiet strength with which he carried himself. LeKendrick’s life was not always easy, but he faced it with courage, heart, and a desire to leave something beautiful behind.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 11:00 am at Buckner Park, Jacksonville, Tx. Friends and family are asked to come out and share memories of LeKendrick and help celebrate his life.
Though he is no longer with us in body, LeKendrick’s spirit lives on in his children, his art, and the many lives he touched. He will never be forgotten.
