Dion Lewis Strother passed away February 20th, 2018 in his apartment in San Juan, California. Dion was found dead after a night of excessive alcohol and drug use by one of his roommates. He was born March 29, 1993, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where he was raised by Joan and Barry Strother until the age of 20. Dion attended East Brunswick Vocational School and Middlesex County College. He was an average student as he spent most of his time dancing or cheering. After spending his freshman year of high school on the cheerleading team, he and a group of friends formed their own dance group, known as the OdDbAlL Squad. His love for dancing began here and continued throughout his college career.

Two years into college, Dion dropped out and decided to move to California to pursue his dancing career. His family supported him and helped him raise money to fund his move as well as visiting him a few times a year. Unfortunately, Dion became involved in the wrong crowd and was introduced to cocaine. After reaching out to his family for help in March of 2017 his brothers Daryl and Derrick Strother rushed to his side and sent him to Hope by The Sea rehabilitation center where he successfully completed 30 days.

By December 2017, Dion was back involved with drugs and this time, did not care for help. The drugs changed him. He stopped dancing and working towards his dreams. On February 20th, 2018, cocaine took his life.

Dion is survived by his loving parents Joan and Barry Strother, his brothers Derrick and Daryl, his cousins Ayana Strother, Sade Royster, and Jazzarah Greene, and lastly his grandmother, Wilma. He is also survived by his dancing group OdDbAlL Squad, including members Justin Andrews, Marcus Williams, Eli Feliciano, and Sarah Ruth. He had a small yet close family who will always honor his memory.

“In life, one little decision can make a huge impact on not just you but also those that love and care for you. But drugs took ahold of his life, changed him, and destroyed so much of the hope and promise in his future.”