Oregon "OJ" James Shearin

Oregon “OJ” James Shearin, 45, of Los Angeles, CA, passed away on February 12, 2024, peacefully in his sleep after a yearlong battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Oregon was a renaissance man with many areas of knowledge. Oregon was educated, witty, and was able to accomplish anything he committed his time and energy.  Oregon’s passion for music allowed him to connect with many people from all walks of life. He made friends at the local watering hole to a one-off chance at a hip hop concert.

In OJ’s own words “My life began in the summer of 1978 in the Bronx, New York. While on the way to a July 4th celebration I kindly asked my mom to deliver me and soon after the fireworks shows lit up the New York skyline welcoming me to the world.  Doris and John Shearin grew up in South and North Carolina respectively. They met in New York where they started their careers.  I am my mother’s only child, but my father had a daughter from a previous marriage years earlier.  My parents brought me up in a Black Southern Baptist household. Early childhood education started at my local Christian Academy, Childs Memorial, from the fourth grade and through high school I attended Catholic school, Our Lady of Lourdes and Rice High School. I graduated 8th grade and high school at the top of my class.  My college career started at Middlebury in Vermont, and I also attended some classes at the City College of New York. Ultimately, I made a decision to leave college and move to California. Working to earn money and support myself has been integral since I was a teenager. Working papers, as they were called in New York, were required when you wanted to work and was under 18 years of age. I got my work permit at 14 and worked as a camp counselor and as a clerk at the Hallmark card store. In college, I earned money as a DJ and doing light and sound for plays and shows.  Middlebury college had a student run radio station and I volunteered to host a weekly show for a couple semesters.  The summer of 1999 I worked at a sleep away camp hosted by the Children’s Storefront Academy. The money I earned helped me move to Los Angeles that same summer. My first job is the city was at Radio Shack.  I worked two jobs at times as well, full time at Radio Shack and part time at Bank of America.  An opportunity presented itself and my part time position became full time in 2002.  At Bank of America, I held positions as a merchant teller, personal banker and small business banker. I am an avid record collector and listening to music is my favorite hobby. My dad passed away in 2006 and he was one of the most influential people in my life.  He introduced me to music and taught me how to communicate with people. The other most influential person is my wife Arames. She has helped me to become the best version of myself and has taught me invaluable life lessons.”

He will be forever remembered by his loving wife, Arames White-Shearin, sister Vonda Darden, brother-in-law Ricky Darden of North Carolina, nieces Rekel and Elarnta Darden of Maryland, sister-in-law Ajuania White, brother-in-law Nathanial Chisholm, nephews Hakeem and Jibri Shabazz of Georgia, sisters-in-law Adauna Giles, brother-in-law Troy Giles, niece Erin White of California, in-laws, Ralph and Dorothy White of California, and a long list of adoring aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

OJ has now been reunited with his parents, and other loved ones gone before… have a blessed reunion and rest in Jesus’ peace!