Olijah Nathaniel James (“O.J.”) was born on October 19, 1995 to Mignon Harris and Brandon James. He died on April 2, 2018 at 10:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Hospital from injuries sustained earlier that day in a car wreck. He was on his way to work at KwaTaqNuk, one of three jobs he held. He also worked at Taco Bell and Finley Point Grill. O.J. was very proud of his jobs and was so happy with life at the time of his death. He was someone who loved to set goals and accomplish them. Recently, he was saving his money to travel to Japan on a new adventure.
O.J. was only 22 years old, yet he had so much ambition. He graduated from Two Eagle River School in 2014 and went on to attend UTI in Sacramento, California. He was still planning to finish his coursework there and get his certification. He had plans to open his own shop.
O.J. loved to listen to music, especially jazz. He loved to dabble in artwork and writing and he liked to run. While in high school in Riverside, California he was a cross country champion. O.J. loved his family and friends and enjoyed visiting. His Papa Glen said O.J. saved special time for him when he visited Elmo from Nespelem. They would share a good smoke and talk and laugh together. O.J. came from large families from Montana to Washington to Louisiana.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Frank Harris, maternal great grandparents Louise and Dennis Burke, his paternal great grandparents, Vic and Mary Lefthand and his best bud, Gerald Hamel.
He is survived by his mother and step-father, Mignon Harris and Pius Takes Horse, his father and step-mother, Brandon James and Teresa Bautista; his brothers, Tyrell, Antone, Antonio, Keaton, Natanik, and Noah and his sister Daysia. Also surviving him are his paternal grandparents Glen James and Verna Lefthand, and maternal grandmother, Marcella Roth, aunts Myra Harris, Nukinka Manual, Correne and Cassie Roth, uncles Francios Burke and Kunu Roth. He leaves behind many cousins and buddies, but especially Youstah and Bassu Eneas, and Dashane Hewankorn who he spent a lot of time with.
A wake for O.J. began on Wednesday at the Elmo Community Hall with a prayer service set for 8 p.m. on Thursday. A funeral service will commence on Friday at 10 a.m. with Pastor Sika Ulutoa officiating. Burial will be at the Elmo Cemetery.
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