Abidemi Ojurongbe

Abidemi “Demi” Ojurongbe

November 19, 2003 – September 14, 2024

Abidemi (Demi) Ademola Ojurongbe was a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend to many who were honored to know him. As the youngest and only boy in the family, he was naturally everyone’s pride and joy. Born in Prince George's County, Maryland, on November 19, 2003, to his parents, Bosede (Bose) Iyabo Osho and Ademola (Ade) Adekoya Ojurongbe, who immigrated to the United States in the 1980s to embark on a new journey. Before Demi was born, his parents welcomed two daughters, his older sisters Oluwaremilekun (Remi) Ojurongbe Mehner and Omolayo (Layo) Ojurongbe. He was also blessed with his brother-in-law Alexander (Alex) Mehner and niece, Ifeoluwa (Ife) Mehner.

When Demi was born, the family was filled with excitement over their newest addition. Growing up, Demi was full of energy. His mother lovingly gave him the nickname “Curious George,” not just because of his love for the show but also because of his inquisitive nature and willingness to explore new things. You could often find Demi running around the living room, letting his imagination soar.

Demi was loved not only by his immediate family but also by his church family at Ascension Lutheran Church. Raised in the faith, he deeply valued the teachings of the Lord. Demi was baptized, received his First Communion, and was confirmed at Ascension. He also attended Ascension Lutheran School from kindergarten to fourth grade. An active member of the church, Demi often stepped in to serve at the altar as an acolyte, participated in youth group activities, volunteered for service projects, and helped decorate the church for Christmas each December. He also enjoyed attending Awana Club activities with his friend, Chris.

If you knew Demi, you knew his love for sports. Some of his earliest memories involved reciting all of the NFL and NBA teams. Growing up, he played soccer, baseball, and basketball, but his true passion was running track and field as a sprinter. If you ever watched Demi on the track, you saw a young man committed to bettering himself and surpassing his personal goals. He trained diligently, even working out at a hotel gym during Remi's law school graduation to prepare for an upcoming track championship.

Though Demi didn’t have any brothers, he understood the importance of brotherhood. He forged close bonds with his church friends, sports teammates, childhood friends, cousins, and the "brothers" he gained at Washington Jesuit Academy, DeMatha Catholic High School, and Purdue University. He deeply valued these relationships and always made sure to show his love and care.

Demi was often wise beyond his years. From a young age, he aspired to be a businessman. He appreciated the value of a dollar but did not let wealth define his worth. He never felt ashamed of his family’s financial situation growing up, instead using it as motivation to achieve greater things in life—and he did. After graduating from DeMatha, Demi enrolled at Purdue University to study Marketing. Initially, his family was a little nervous about him going all the way to Indiana, but once he was accepted into and began Purdue’s Business Opportunity Program (BOP) the summer before his freshman year, they knew he had found a community he could call family.

Through BOP, Demi was able to explore his calling and meet people who affirmed and supported him. He successfully secured an internship the summer after his freshman year at Exelon in Baltimore, Maryland. Having grown up a Bulls fan, it was always his dream to live in Chicago. Thanks to his proximity to the city and through BOP, he often visited and was captivated by its beauty and culture. In the summer of 2024, his dream came true when he interned in Chicago with Caterpillar Inc.’s marketing team. During his time there, he not only grew professionally but also matured as a young man. Living alone for the first time, he soaked in the architecture, food, and vibrant culture of the city. Remi and Layo visited him in Chicago during the Fourth of July weekend, where they spent quality time together. The weekend was filled with cherished memories, and they had the opportunity to see him thrive in his element.

Demi was always introspective, often sitting quietly and observing his surroundings. He was grateful for everything he had and never took life’s blessings for granted. He epitomized resilience, using life's challenges as fuel to drive him toward even greater achievements. His family and friends knew how much he cared for and loved them, and they loved him just as dearly.

Demi will be laid to rest in Bowie, Maryland, at First Lutheran Church Cemetery. His family and friends will celebrate his life on Friday, September 27th, 10:00 a.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church in Landover Hills, Maryland.

Though we will all miss Demi, we will continue to cherish the incredible memories we shared with him. Whether through church, school, sports, or family, we’ve all been touched by his caring soul. We hold close the memories of trips from Chicago, to Montreal, to Cancun—Demi spread his wings on this earth, and now he is spreading his wings in heaven. He even taught his niece Ife how to high-five and made a conscious effort to always be present in her life, from her naming ceremony to her first birthday. His legacy will live on despite his untimely passing. Whether it's through a high-five from Ife or a story of how he impacted our lives, Demi’s spirit remains with us.

His bright smile and enthusiasm for life will be deeply missed by his family and friends. But his legacy and spirit will continue to live on through those who knew and loved him. May his soul rest in everlasting peace, until we meet again.

The funeral will be held on Friday, September 27th, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

• Memorial Service at Ascension Lutheran Church, 10:00 a.m. 7415 Buchanan St, Landover Hills, MD 20784

• Burial at First Lutheran Church, 11:30 a.m. Duckettown Rd, Laurel, MD 20708

• Repast at Ascension Lutheran Church, 12:30 p.m. 7415 Buchanan St, Landover Hills, MD 20784

We truly appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers for our family during this difficult time.

If you’d like to support our family through donations, feel free to make an online donation using the link below under the “Memorials” section. Please add "Demi Ojurongbe Memorial Fund" to the note line. https://tinyurl.com/4muba2mu

You can also donate to our meal train using the link- Meal Train for The Ojurongbe Family.