Oliver Darbonne, Jr., affectionately known as JuJune, Junior from Alaska, Stage Coach, Big Daddy Rabbit, and most proudly Poppa, was born on December 9, 1954, in Lafayette, Louisiana, to Oliver Darbonne, Sr. and Cecelia Frances Guillory Darbonne. He passed away peacefully on December 11, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by his loving family.

Oliver grew up in the Chataignier/Mallet area of Louisiana, where he developed the strong work ethic, old-school values, and deep love for family and community that would define his life. He graduated from Chataignier High School and attended Delta School of Business in Lafayette, Louisiana. As a young adult, he moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where he married Janell Gallien. They had two children: a daughter, Robin Lorraine Darbonne and a son, Brandon Keith Darbonne. In 1982, driven by his commitment to provide stability and opportunity for his family, Oliver relocated his family to Anchorage, Alaska where he would proudly make his second home for the rest of his life. Oliver followed in the footsteps of his father n' law, Andrew Gallien Sr, who was already working on the Alaskan Pipeline, at the time.

He and his family were active parishioners at St. Patrick Catholic Parish in Anchorage, Alaska, attending mass every Saturday at 5pm, until his health prevented him from doing so.

Oliver was a dedicated member of Laborer's Local #341, joining in 1981 and retiring in 2005 at the age of 50. He worked in the construction industry as a Construction Worker, and he advanced to a Foreman Supervisor, managing teams and projects with precision, fairness, and leadership. Oliver worked for over a dozen contractors all across Alaska, including Price/Ahtna in Valdez, Alaska, Fluor Alaska in Shemya, Alaska, and Kewit Construction in Whittier (Tunnel), Alaska, just to name a few. Known as one of the hardest workers around, Oliver endured working long 12-hour days in extreme conditions, including below zero frigid   winters (average temperatures were negative -30 degrees Fahrenheit). He worked at remote locations on man camps, and made sacrifices traveling to and from work in small planes, even during snow storms, and driving on treacherous, icy roads around steep, narrow mountains; always pushing through to be home with his family. He was immensely proud of his union, never missed a meeting, and for many years volunteered as the grill master at the annual retirees BBQ.

A true man of action, Oliver believed in showing up early, handling business in person, and keeping his word. If he said he would do something, he did no matter the circumstances. Practical, logical, and full of common sense, he was always offering life advice to family and friends. He lived his love language through action: fixing what was broken, helping without being asked, and providing unwavering support.

Oliver was a generous and compassionate man who never met a stranger. He frequently visited homeless shelters, offering food, dignity, and even jobs to those in need. He plowed neighbors' driveways of heavy snow before they woke up, helped stranded motorists, and made time for every neighborhood child. Oliver was a father figure to many youngsters in Alaska who didn't have a father in their lives. He treated everyone with kindness, respect, and humanity.

A proud Cajun/Creole and fluent in Cajun/Creole French, Oliver cherished his Louisiana heritage and enjoyed speaking his Native dialect of French with elders from a young age. He loved to cook and was renowned for his Cajun/Creole cuisine, especially his barbecue, gumbo, sauce piquant, and smoked meats. Sunday dinners were a cherished tradition in his family home; and he often cooked and cleaned at the homes of family and friends. He was happiest at home, surrounded by loved ones, enjoying BBQ while watching the New Orleans Saints or WWE wrestling. Oliver also enjoyed fishing for halibut and salmon in Alaska.

Oliver was an avid coin collector, and he also enjoyed collecting vinyl records and cassette tapes. He loved many genres of music, especially Zydeco, old-school Motown R&B, and Country and Western. He took great pride in his chromed-out 2010 Chevy Silverado, which he kept immaculate and always covered. A lifelong learner, Oliver enjoyed reading the newspaper every morning from his favorite chair at the kitchen table with his coffee, watching the news daily, and staying informed on current events. He especially loved learning about the biographies of his favorite musical artists.

A businessman at heart, Oliver owned and operated several ventures, including Louisiana Barbeque King mobile food trailer with his best friend John Green, and his You Call We Haul hauling and moving business, featuring his iconic candy-apple-red flatbed truck. He was meticulous personally and business wise, always writing everything down in what he called his Composition.

Above all, Oliver was a devoted provider and family man. His priorities were God and family, and his life revolved around his wife, children, and loved ones. To his family, he was the rock, protector, chef, teacher, and fixer of all things. He was the one everyone called whether their car broke down, someone got stuck in the snow, or any form of help was needed; and he always came through.

Humble and selfless, Oliver wanted little for himself yet worked tirelessly to ensure his family had everything they needed and more. He taught his family the values he lived by hard work, humility, charity, kindness, honesty, respect, and honoring your word.

Oliver Darbonne, Jr. was deeply loved, well respected, and will be profoundly missed. His legacy of generosity, integrity, faith, and unwavering dedication to family will live on in the countless lives he touched.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Oliver Sr. and Cecelia Guillory Darbonne, three brothers, Joseph (late Margie), Jesse (late Wanda) and John Wendell (late Josie); two sisters Bessie Papillion (late Euel) and Evella Darbonne; his grandparents Paul and Mathilda Darbonne and Arville and Mary Guillory; and his father and mother-in-law, Andrew Sr. and Rosa James Gallien.

Leaving to cherish his memories are his wife of 50 years, Janell Gallien Darbonne, daughter Robin Lorraine Darbonne, and son Brandon Keith (Bianca Bador) Darbonne, all of Anchorage, Alaska, and daughter Kimberly Sue Jolivette-Thomas, of Texas. Also missing him will be his five grandchildren: Ellizabeth Gabrielle Taya Bador (Brandon's daughter), Omar Isaiah Bador (Brandon's son), Michaela Christina Hinton (Robin's daughter), Karys Isabella Thomas (Kimberly's daughter), and Evan Alexander Thomas (Kimberly's son).

Surviving siblings are Isabella Elliott (late Calvin), Delores LaChapelle (late Ralph) both of Frilot Cove, Louisiana, Joyce Guillory (Earl) of Mallet Louisiana, SherrilDean Labbe (Peter) of Lake Charles Louisiana, SherrilFrank Darbonne (Joyce) of Mallet Louisiana, and Priscilla Bellard (late John) of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 10, at 12:00pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana. A rosary will be recited prior at 11:15am, also in the church. Rites of Christian Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Mausoleum, under the direction of King's Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will continue during the repast in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Founder's Hall with expressions, videos, words of comfort, and food.