DJ Hotalen

DJ Hotalen was a remarkable young man, who possessed such a quiet compassion and deep curiosity in the world around him. He especially loved all of God’s creatures, passionately studying them, watching them, and caring for them. He had the same gentle way with everyone around him, as a loving son, grandson, brother, and friend. DJ was taken from us too soon, but his life, his love, and his memory are gifts we will cherish forever.

DJ’s story began on a cool fall day in 1991, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were times of great change around the globe, when the Soviet Union’s decades-long reign broke apart, and the United States joined the fight to free Kuwait from the tyranny of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, beginning the Persian Gulf War. Yet on November 5, 1991, Doug and Barbara (Simon) Hotalen celebrated a big change in their lives, with the birth of a baby boy at Grand Rapids’ Metropolitan Hospital, a son they named Douglas “DJ” Hotalen.

DJ joined older brother William and big sister Rachel in the family’s home. Little DJ was an especially easygoing baby and child, always so happy and curious about the world around him. It was obvious he was also a very intelligent child from a young age, and the older he got, the more inquisitive he became.

DJ developed an interest in photography as a little boy, and wildly began snapping photos of everything around him, especially animals and nature. DJ was always fascinated by animals, from the squirrels in their yard, to the ones he saw in the zoo.

DJ also loved to go fishing with his dad, which was such special times for the both of them, when they could sit and talk quietly, waiting on a bite. They made a great fishing team, too. Once, while visiting in Virginia Beach, Virginia, DJ took first place in a fishing contest, by catching the biggest trout in the whole competition!

DJ had a deep love and compassion for animals, and couldn’t sit idly by when they were in need. He helped rescue animals several times in his young life, which always filled him with pride and happiness. Once, he rescued a wounded squirrel, which had been attacked by a house cat. He lovingly brought the squirrel to his mom, and together they took the animal to the rescue shelter. DJ also rescued a bird, which was injured when it fell from the tree. Another time, DJ found what he thought was a nest of baby squirrels, and off to the rescue shelter he and his mother went, only to find out they were really mice! It didn’t matter to DJ what they were, though; they needed his help, and he was more than happy to give it.

When he wasn’t helping animals, DJ was studying them and learning about them. He was a loyal fan of the Animal Planet cable channel, especially the show “Meerkat Manor,” filled with the cute critters. Of course, DJ would much rather be out in the woods, looking for his own wildlife.

DJ was always looking out for the little guy, too, whether it was an injured animal, or a fellow classmate being bullied. He stood up for kids being picked on at school on more than one occasion. He attended Knapp Charter Academy, North Point Christian School, Comstock Park Elementary, and then was home schooled by his mom after that. DJ and his mother shared a special relationship, and he was unusually close to his parents his whole life. He was also very close to his grandpa and grandma Kroeze, and often went to the Westview Christian Reformed Church with them for Sunday service.

DJ also had an interest in cooking, and his mom encouraged him to enroll in a couple of cooking classes at Grand Rapids Community College. It was a class specifically for kids, and DJ loved it, and it helped him learn his way around a kitchen. DJ loved a good steak from time to time, chocolate of any kind (and any time), and devoured his grandma’s home-baked brown and banana breads. He also enjoyed going out to eat at the Melting Pot and Panera, too.

In many ways, DJ was a very normal teenager. He loved video games of all kinds, and could spend hours playing World of Warcraft online at home, or hours down at the arcade. He loved watching the Carlos Mencia show on Comedy Central, the Simpsons, and Japanese anime cartoons. He loved wheeling around town on his “heelies” shoes, and got a kick out of “foam fighting” with his friends in the backyard, too.

As normal as he was, though, DJ was special, a young man with so many interests, passions and plans. He also possessed an uncommon interest in the interests of others, and often peppered his parents about their lives, and their loves, always anxious to learn more. Both of his parents were former U.S. Marines, which fascinated him, and he often talked about joining when he was old enough. He couldn’t wait to be a Marine like his parents, and even wanted to get a Marine tattoo, until his parents told him it was something he had to earn in boot camp. He understood that, wanted it, and strived for it.

DJ was always anxious to learn more about the things he loved, and every family vacation was an excuse to visit a new zoo. Whether it was San Diego, Detroit or just John Ball Park Zoo, he always came home armed with a camera full of new photos, ready to go into his album. In 2005, DJ and his family were treated to a “behind the scenes” look at Sea World, which was such an amazing day for him, a day full of memories, and yes, full of photos, too.

So sadly, DJ died suddenly on Monday July 2, 2007, at the age of 15. DJ was a gift of life and gave his gift of life to 6 other people who will carry DJ with them.

DJ was such a remarkable young man, with a remarkable zest for life, and the lives all around him. He loved and looked out for all of God’s creatures, treating them all with the same compassion and kindness. He was a rare young man, so happy, helpful and loving to those around him, such a wonderful son, brother, grandson and friend. DJ was taken from us too soon, but his life was a gift we were so blessed to have shared. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Dennis Cupery. D.J. is survived by his mother, Barbara Simon-Hotalen; father, Douglas Hotalen Sr.; siblings, William Hotalen (fiancée, Shannon Barbarian) and Rachael (Alex) Walker; and grandparents, Andrew (Muriel) Kroeze, Beverly Cupery, and Robert (Charlotte) Hotalen. A service to celebrate DJ’s life will be held on Thursday July 5th at 4:00 PM. Visitation will be held on Wednesday July 4 from 4-6 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, and again on Thursday from 3 PM until the funeral begins. In Lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in DJ's memory to Safe Haven Humane Society PO Box 55 Ionia MI 48846. To read more about DJ’ life, to share your own memories of him and to sign his guest book, please visit his web page at www.lifestorynet.com