Denzel Brogdon

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” – Psalm 23: DENZEL JULIEN BROGDON, son of Clifford J. Brogdon and the late Sherry D. Brogdon was born December 28, 1991 in Fayetteville, North Carolina and suddenly departed this life on August 15, 2012. In 1992, Cliff met Sonya Koonce Brogdon and they later married, raising their blended family in a loving home. Denzel was educated in North Carolina until 2005 when his family moved to Florida and he graduated from Wiregrass Ranch High School in 2010. Denzel’s varied interests in high school included nursing, writing and rapping. In his senior year of high school, Denzel received his Certified Nursing Assistant certificate. As a result of his writings, one of his poems was published in the book entitled, “A Celebration of Poems” in the 2009 edition. Denzel’s true passion was free-style rapping under the performing name of “Young Cipha.” His interest in rapping began in middle school when he started out using a computer microphone and later saved up to build a home studio. Eventually Denzel found his way to an official recording studio where he recorded multiple songs. Music and rapping were such an intricate part of Denzel he would forgo lunch and organize a circle of friends known as a cipher to freestyle. Denzel also loved food, especially chicken and waffles and grilled hamburgers on the George Foreman. After graduation Denzel worked at Publix Supermarket before deciding to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He entered boot camp in the fall of 2011, graduating from Parris Island, South Carolina on January 13, 2012. Denzel then went to Marine Combat Training (MCT) and later attended Camp Johnson for MOS school in supply. Denzel then transitioned to his permanent duty station at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He obtained a perfect score on his physical fitness test and was promoted to Private First Class in the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance ( LAR) Battalion on May 1, 2012. Because of Denzel’s upbringing, he was thought of as a quiet, kind, respectful, well mannered young man. Around his friends he was also outgoing, fun loving, loyal and trustworthy. Denzel treated everyone like a brother and is described by his friends as someone whose word was his bond. He had an extraordinary capacity to look out for the welfare of his fellow Marines, family and friends. Denzel’s warmth, humor, vitality, zest for life and strong character will live on through each of us. Denzel’s signature trademark of wearing rubber band jewelry, that he designed, made him unique and admired by his friends. Denzel is truly one of a kind. He leaves to cherish his memory: a loving father Clifford J. Brogdon; mother Sonya A. Brogdon; sister Brittany D. Brogdon; brothers Christopher S. Koonce and Cameron A. Brogdon; grandmothers Lee Esther Hill and Daisy Harper; grandfather Cleveland Brogdon; aunts, uncles, cousins, a host of relatives, special friends and fiancé Ashley Goffney. The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 26th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Loyless Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at Victorious Life Church, Wesley Chapel, on Monday, August 27th at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at The Florida National Cemetery.