Don "DJ" Ozbun

Don "DJ" Ozbun, 42, of Grandview, MO, formerly of Atlantic, died Monday, October 24, 2022.

Donald Henry was born on December 21, 1979, in Harlan, Iowa, the son of Donald and Joanne (Arkfeld) Ozbun.  He was baptized and confirmed at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic; his faith and belief in the power of prayer giving him hope and encouragement throughout his life.  DJ never went without his cross necklace; a sign of his unwavering trust in the Lord.   DJ was in Boy Scouts and attended Atlantic Community Schools.  He was united in marriage to Carissa, and they were blessed with son, Mason.  DJ worked in construction, tree trimming and the last two years took a great amount of pride in learning the trade of cabinet installation. 

After DJ’s passing this Facebook post from his sister, April is a true reflection of who he was as a dad, brother, and son— “He had an absolute heart of gold & anyone who knew him back in the day or currently knew this to be true. He’d give you the shirt off his back, no questions asked. He’d fight to protect his loved one’s tooth & nail. He loved his son more than anything in the world. Absolutely anything. He had a longtime girlfriend whom he loved dearly. He was very much into his drones, motorcycle, cars & loved tinkering around with things. You got a scrap piece of something?? He’d take it-it might come in handy someday! He had a brilliant mind that didn’t always cooperate with him. His tinkering helped him focus. He was definitely the hot dog of skiing in the family & would show it off whenever possible. We had what we called “the spirit of DJ” tree that my sister & I would hold on the Christmases he couldn’t be with us. How ironic that we called it that looking back. He was the “classic” middle child I suppose you could say. He ran “on DJ time”. He could always find a way to make do…. He will be GREATLY missed by all!!!! We are so so, so, so very blessed that he gave us Mason.”

A few other tidbits that are important to know about “Deeg,” as he was also known, was that he loved the outdoors and was fearless when it came to waterskiing, snow skiing and riding his motorcycle, he enjoyed flying his drones, and his mind worked in ways that were truly unbelievable; the way he could fix anything, including electronics, and in the end, you wondered how he “MacGyvered” it.  “Deeg” wasn’t one to sugar coat things and his sense of humor was one of a kind; he was “funny cool” and always a good sport.  He was one to help anyone with anything they needed even if it took a lot of work and you never knew when you might see him, known for just stopping by to say hello if he happened to be in the area.  DJ was always ready to include anyone with anything, whether it be a little cousin wanting to tag along with his older, cool, fearless cousin, or his dorky older sister who thought he was so cool and shared his love of rap music and bass bumpin.  Several of his friends and classmates will remember fondly how he’d drop down to the ground and run the hall on his arms with his legs dragging behind him all while barking at people.  One year at school there was a cricket or grasshopper infestation and DJ was picking them up randomly and eating them, BUT would only eat the live ones because he didn’t know where the dead ones had been.   

DJ came into this world on the shortest amount of daylight of the year and brightened the lives of many.  His radiant smile and blue eyes will be deeply missed by his son, Mason; parents, Don and Joanne; siblings, April (Travis), Angela (Brian) and fuzzy brother, Jack; nephews, Dagan (Jazmin), Kael and Cash; girlfriend, Carrie and her daughter, Khloe; aunts and uncles, Laura, Dan (Jeanne), Pat (Denise), Tim (Denise), Jane (Richard), Phil (Laura), Denise (Scott), Deanna (Roger), Steve (Jeri), Pam, and Mark; and many cousins. 

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Barb, Dale, Hank and Irene, and aunt and uncles, Teresa, Mike, and Chuck. 

A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.  Visitation with the family present will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home starting at 10:00 a.m., Saturday.  The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by noon on Sunday.  Casual dress is requested!

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for DJ's family and his arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.