We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our kind, sweet, tender-hearted DJ. Our Deej. Our
Dakota James. Our Monkey.
Dakota James Blackwood came screaming into this world on September 16, 1995 and left this physical
world on January 11, 2023. DJ was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Harmon and Lillie
Mae Blackwood, Raymond Johnson, Charles and Muriel Caress, George and Iva Chaplin; his
grandparents, Ginger Parker and Papa Ray Johnson; his Aunt, Bobbi Gibbs. He leaves behind his
wife, Deedra Graves; his sons, Kingston Ray Blackwood and Braxten Graves; his daughter, Zoe
Graves; his parents, Mike and Shelby Blackwood; his siblings, Dustin Blackwood, Colten and his wife
Chelsey Blackwood, Harley and her husband Ryan Smith; his Meme Carolyn Johnson; his nieces and
nephews, Ethan Cooper, Marissa Cooper, Ryder Jimenez, Bennett Blackwood, Shiloh Blackwood, and
Nolan Blackwood; and his furbaby and long-time companion, Bullet. DJ also leaves behind a host of
cousins, uncles, aunts, and friends.
DJ loved the outdoors. You could find him at a favorite fishing hole any time he had the chance. When
he was younger, you would be hard-pressed to not find him climbing a tree or on his bicycle riding
around downtown with his brothers and sister and friends and getting into who knows what kind of
trouble. Fun trouble. He later turned that love of riding his bicycle into a love for motorcycles. DJ said
that was the time he felt the most free. He loved the feeling of the wind whipping around him and the
engine roaring beneath him.
Our DJ was fearless. Many times he would scare the dickens out of his Momma and Meme by jumping
into the pool without floaties. And many times they would jump in after him, clothes and all. He would
laugh and laugh in only the way DJ could. He would climb the highest tree like it was nothing and
completely natural or jump from the tallest limb. And laughing still. We will all miss that ornery laugh.
As DJ grew, he talked many times of wanting a family of his own. He did not care if somebody was not
blood related. If he loved you, you were his family. He met Deedra and loved her children right away as
his own. Never once did he hesitate to call them "his kids." He had so much love to give. When he
found out he was going to become a daddy to his son, Kingston, he was overjoyed. He was proud to
honor his Papa by giving Kingston his middle name, Ray. He loved that baby so much and was
becoming the daddy he always wanted to be. We have all been cheated of watching that relationship
blossom, but Kingston will always know his daddy through those who knew and loved DJ.
The world was brighter while DJ walked this earth, and his smile lit up any room he entered. His laugh
was infectious. To know him was to love him. While only with us for such a short time, he leaves a
legacy. DJ loved hard and big and never left without telling you. He was loved beyond words and is
missed beyond measure.
There will be a public viewing period on Sunday, January 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Monday,
January 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Wooster Funeral Home in Pauls Valley. A memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 1:00 P.M at Joy Baptist Church. Wooster Funeral Home provided services for the cremation services, but the memorial service is not under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for his children at https://gofund.me/edb032c5 .