Tere Vander May was born October 13th, 1990 in Rapid City to Mark and Cindy Vander May of Long Valley and Kadoka, South Dakota. As a child of God his spiritual journey began with his baptism at Sacred Heart Church of Norris, SD with his Godparents Matt Vander May and Nancy Donnelly. His First Holy Communion was held at Sacred Heart Church in Philip, SD on May 2nd, 1999. He was a member of Our Lady of Victory in Kadoka, SD and was confirmed into the church at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Martin, SD on January 17th, 2009.

Tere was born the fifth child to older brothers Dallas and Chris Kendrick and Kanan Vander May and older sister Bethany Vander May. He became an older brother to Kenar and Jarrett Vander May.

Life was full of adventure for this youngster who was blessed with miracles from God from the moment he was born, to the time he slipped out the door at 18 months and ventured down the road. It took a whole bus load of kids from school, Rapid City Fire Rescue and Grandpa Jerry flying his plane to find little Tere sleeping in tall grass, covered in ticks.

His elementary and middle school years were full of hunting, fishing, planning his dream ranch, helping Mom in the garden and Dad with haying and brandings. He made his place known among his siblings, writing notes to make sure they stayed out of his chair and left his stuff alone. But he also never hesitated to show his kind heart to them and speak with pride about his siblings to others. He loved his big family and wanted to make them proud. Some of the fondest memories of their time together were the summer cookouts out at the gazebo all gathered around a campfire playing music.

His high school years were full of football and track, and of course scouting for the next big buck. During his senior year, his easy-going, loving spirit touched the lives of his peers so much they voted him Homecoming King and his competitive nature awarded him the MVP Defensive Football Player of the Year. He graduated from Kadoka Area High School in 2009 and went on to graduate in 2011 from Western Dakota Technical Institute with an associate’s degree in Electrical Trades.

As an adult, Tere had a love for playing and making music with his brothers Kanan, Kenar and Jarrett. Music was his refuge and gift, and often his words, allowing him to express himself through his guitar. Toward the end of his life, he used his gift to help others walking through struggles of their own.

Tere enjoyed working with his hands, handcrafting beautiful cedar art and other woodworking projects. He also enjoyed working on and tuning up old pickups with his brothers.

Tere was an avid deer hunter. Starting each year in August, he would begin checking trail cameras daily to scout the deer in the area and would typically continue this through December. He enjoyed collecting sheds and was able to tell which deer many of the sheds belonged to by studying his deer pictures. He harvested many great bucks during his life but was always there to help his brothers get a deer of their own.

Though he stayed busy on the ranch, Tere always made time for his nieces and nephews. At family functions he could easily be talked into a backyard baseball game, a 2-on-1 wrestling match, jumping in a bouncy house, and even swimming in a backyard pool last 4th of July. He had a gentle way of connecting with them, whether he was taking Cruz hunting, making music with Creed, handcrafting a beautiful deer mount for Carter, and enjoying Camille’s little surprise gifts. He had recently been named Godparent of his niece Klancy.

Although Tere was a man of few words, when he did say something, everyone listened because they knew he meant it with his whole heart. He was a compassionate listener to many of his friends and seen as a great guy who would help anyone in need. Tere was a beautiful soul whose quiet thoughtfulness touched the lives of everyone who knew him. Though he struggled with addiction, he was never defined by it.

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” Matthew 18:12

We can be assured The Good Shepherd has left his flock to find Tere and take him to his Eternal home. He is now living in peace.

Survivors include parents Mark and Cindy (Patterson) Vander May; siblings: Dallas (Dwan) Kendrick, Christopher (Karla) Kendrick, Bethany (Levi) Vander May, Kanan Vander May, Kenar Vander May, and Jarrett Vander May; nephews and nieces: Carter, Cruz, Creed, Camille, and Klancy Kendrick; grandfather Jerry Patterson; aunts and uncles: Robert Patterson, Grant (Susan) Patterson, Scott (Arla) Patterson, Kevin (Diane) Vander May, Matt (Melissa) Vander May, Sharon Bebout, Tammy (Mark) Carlson, Lisa Patterson, April Patterson, Deb (Rick) Kussman, Nancy (Scott) Donnelly, Chris (Rich) Grable, Pam (Will) Dixon, and Julie (Dan) Carlbom; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by grandmothers Ida Mae “Patty” Patterson and Joan Patterson; paternal grandparents Francis and Norma Vander May; maternal great-grandparents Rollie and Ruth Eva Shoemaker; and paternal great-grandparents Leo and Catherine Vander May.

Visitation will be held 3-5 p.m. with a vigil service at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, November 13, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.

Interment will follow at the Kadoka Cemetery.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 344 Kadoka, SD 57543.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.