Anthony “A.J.” Joseph Najera, age 28, of Brainerd passed away at his home from complications of a long-term illness on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. His Celebration of Life will be on Friday, November 9, 2018 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd at 11:00AM, with Pastor Mark Skinner officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, November 8 from 4-7 p.m. at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter and also one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial will be private.
A.J. was born in Silver Springs, Maryland on December 3, 1989, to Tony and Darnel (Carlson) Najera. At the age of five he moved with his family to Brainerd, where he played hockey and graduated from high school in 2008. After graduation he attended UMD and had worked at Buffalo Wild Wings. A.J. was a quiet, deeply-caring guy who demonstrated his compassion by helping care for his grandma during her battle with cancer. His passion was hockey; he enjoyed skating even after he no longer played . A recent highlight in his life was being able to hold and be photographed with the Stanley Cup. A.J. was a tech-savvy person who understood the intricacies of computers and enjoyed working on them. He enjoyed the natural beauty of the outdoors, especially while fishing and going for walks.
A.J. will be remembered and forever missed by his mother, Darnel Carlson (Jerry Negen); his father and stepmother, Tony and Sheila Najera; his step-siblings David and Dyane; a grandfather, Kent Carlson; his aunts, Lisa Kotchikian (whom he was especially close to) and Patty Najera; his uncles, Mike Carlson and John Najera; a great-uncle, Wally Johnson; several cousins, including Chris Kotchikian (who was like a brother to him); and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Darlene Carlson and Pat McGann; a grandfather, Anthony Najera; and a very special great-aunt, Louise “Babe” Johnson. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.
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