Deng Arop Ajang was born to Arop Ajang Makoor and Akueliny Deng Mayen. He was number 8 out of 9 children: Athiang, Achol, Ajang, Arop, Makoor, Aguek, Akol, Deng, and Jacob. Deng attended All Saints Catholic School and graduated from Bryan High School. He attended Iowa Western Community College. Basketball was always a huge part of his life and attending the Elite Eight, Final Four and NCAA Championship to watch his brother was a highlight. He described it as “THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!”

Deng was just starting to make his way into adult life, had a new job, bought a car, and was making steps to enroll at UNO.

We found it to be extremely difficult to attempt to sum up who Deng was in just a few words. So, we thought we might start this off using Deng’s own words from a questionnaire we found while going through his things. We hope this gives you a glimpse into the kind of person he was.

When asked for three words that describe himself Deng says. “Funny, people always tell me that I’m funny or that I should be a comedian. Patient, people tell me that for how I act, I surprisingly have a lot of patience. Hardworker, no matter how hard someone else works, I’m always 5 steps ahead.”
When asked about his strengths, Deng says, “Making people happy and smile...the amount of joy people say I bring to them makes me happy.”

We could not have chosen any words better than those he chose for himself. We would however add: Fighter, Deng fought Leukemia like a champion, he endured his treatments without complaints and rarely wore anything on his face but his golden smile. Dancer, Deng could get the whole room going with his dance skills! Kind, we all have been touched by a sweet look, word or gesture from Deng.

Deng was so loved by all who knew him. Words do not do justice to his impact on the lives of those who knew him. He inspired us as we watched him fight cancer and win, he brought joy to others with his smile and genuine goofiness, and he touched our hearts with how he loved and cared for all his friends and family. During the days of his cancer treatments while his mom sat by his side, their relationship grew to more than just mother and son, they became best friends. It is no surprise that all of Deng’s nieces and nephews call him their favorite uncle. The best way family and friends can describe him is that he was just a “pure soul”. Deng was Deng; A joy to be around.



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