David "Avi" Johnson Harjo (They/Them)'s Obituary
Avi was born David Johnson Harjo on March 14, 2006. They became Avi in 2020. They left us on November 17, 2024, in Edmond. They were born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and grew up in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. They are survived by their grandparents Danny and Dusty Scroggins, parents Paul and Adrienne Harjo, sister Sarah McCaslin Harjo, sister Hannah Harjo, and brother Jack Harjo, niece Lilly Seals, nephew Alex Gonzales, and nephew Jay Gonzales. Avi is also survived by his aunt Danna Harjo, cousins Justin and Chad McKillop, aunt and uncle Ryan and Marieke Price, cousins Sophie and Ella Price, aunt and uncle Louis and Annette Price, cousins Mariah, Alexandra, and Victoria Price.
Avi is ¼ Creek Indian and little bit Cherokee. Avi graduated from Broken Arrow High School in May 2024 after attending K-12 and started college at UCO in August 2024 to pursue music production. For years, Avi knew they wanted to create music and really wanted to collaborate with other artists. Avi has gifted us with many years of creation whether it be music, art, or their words. They loved to perform and participated in Theater and Show Choir throughout junior high and then in high school chose to focus their energy to show choir where their passion to perform continued to grow.
When Paul and Adrienne found out they were expecting a third child it was an unexpected and wonderful surprise. They thought they were finished before that. Avi was born not willing to wait nor be held back from their siblings. There was not a baby gate they could not climb or break to follow the older kids. They learned to do cartwheels when they were about 3 years old and quickly developed a motto of why walk if you can get where you are going cartwheeling. Their energy was boundless and contagious. Avi was always the gift we never knew we needed. When they were 3 or 4 years old, they would demand to have their nails painted and constantly wanted to dress up in their sisters’ costumes. Their parents were determined to let them grow to be their authentic self.
Avi became the kindest, most caring child a parent could ever ask for, with the strongest work ethic. Whether it was Theater or Show Choir they always wanted to be on crew and wanted to be the first one there and the last to leave. One of the few things that would persistently annoy them was having to wait for others and winding up late. They had a passion for protecting the environment and recycling and as a young child used to say they would create a train system for transportation in the metro Tulsa area.
Avi loved to sing, dance, dress up, and were always up for a good party. They loved to write poetry and song lyrics, and then this year when their older sister moved out, they acquired her leftover paints and started to paint. They loved their friends passionately and loyally. If they saw someone alone, left out, or feeling uncertain they would always be drawn to this person to shine their light on them. If they knew someone was in need, Avi would do anything they could to help them.
There is a giant Avi shaped hole left in their family’s hearts.18 years was not long enough to have their gift.
Thawing hearts and gentle ears,
No coincidence happened here.
We see it all- AVI
Avi's family will be hosting a Celebration of Life Gathering from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, on Monday, November 25, 2024, at The Rose Event Center, located at: 808 S Main St, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. Avi's family warmly invites all friends to attend and to join them in celebrating Avi.
There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Service to honor and celebrate Avi, but will be private and by invite only, per family request.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations be made to The Trevor Project, an organization that was dear to Avi and their family, in honor of their life. Donations can be made online at www.thetrevorproject.org.
Those wishing to send flowers for Avi's services may do so by contacting Floral Designs by Floral Haven at (918) 459-1525. Independent florists are kindly asked to deliver flowers directly to Floral Haven Funeral Home by 12:00 PM on Monday, November 25, 2024, to ensure proper display for Avi's services.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Floral Haven Funeral Home.
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