John Ozolins

Ozolins, John "Ozzy" 1/19/1950 - 3/7/2022 Tonto Basin, AZ Vitolds Janis (John; Ozzy) Ozolins, of Tonto Basin, Arizona, passed away March 7, 2022, at the age of 72, with his daughter Shawna at his side. The son of Alfreds and Velta Ozolins, John was born on January 19, 1950 in a DP Camp in Ulm, Germany, while his parents were waiting to immigrate to America to escape the Communist Rule in Latvia. John grew up in Kalamazoo, and at a young age, learned the tool and die trade from his father as they established the Ozolin Machine Shop. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School, served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Colorado where he met, married, and started a family with Mickey Mallory, having two daughters whom John later raised on his own. In 1982, John had a son with Loni Freas. Loni passed of Leukemia six years later. John continued his career as a machinist, working for over 30 years at HyTech Spring and Machine, in Plainwell. In 2012 he met Mara Simmons, retired, and moved to Tonto Basin, Arizona, where they were married in 2013. Ozzy was an avid Harley fan, loved camping and fishing. He made friends everywhere he travelled. As the years went by, he gave up the more aggressive hobby, sold the Harleys, and turned to milder hobbies: Painting, Playing Cards, and Woodburning. He especially took pride in creating designs from his Latvian heritage. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Aija Wagner, his brother-in-law Robert Wagner, and his brother Valdis "Val" Ozolins. Ozzy's wife of 8 years, Mara, passed away 11 days after his death. He leaves behind his daughters Tahjia Gilliam (Jerry), Shawna Ozolins (Jason), and son Nikolas Ozolins; his sister Angelika Jirgensons (Joel), and brother Victor Ozolins. Victor was a special brother who always thought of Ozzy as his hero. Grandchildren: Michael, Halie (Walter), Alison (Nelson), and Adrianna. Great Grandchildren: Aurora, Elijah, Atlas, Penelope, Attikus, Phoenix, Hezekiah. Also left to cherish his memory are nieces, nephews, and extended family in Arizona. Cremation has taken place in Payson, Arizona. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Memorials in John's name may be made to: Pancreatic Cancer Research Luke Kuboushek, Assistant Director of Development, Cancer Programs University of Michigan Office of Development 1000 Oakbrook Drive, Suite 100 Ann Arbor, MI | 48104-6815