Daisun Elrond de Rijk

Daisun Elrond de Rijk (aka D-Day— and if you know, you know) was born on March 7th, 1976 in the middle of a blizzard in Lincoln, Nebraska. He passed away suddenly and much too soon on September 3rd, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 49. This seems fitting in a way because the man was an absolute whirlwind in life, but that doesn’t make the loss any less for his family, friends, and colleagues.

His very much loved mother Marilyn de Rijk preceded him in death, as well as his fuzzy tux copilot Mr. Mister. Left behind are his beloved family— his father Waldemer de Rijk; his sister Julie Kerley; his brother Monty Churchill/Chanda Wolf Churchill; his brother-in-law Chuck Kerley; his nieces and nephews Kelly Kerley, Chuck Kerley Jr., Brittany Kerley, and Michael Kerley; and his fiancée Jenifer Meeks— all of whom love him dearly.

Daisun left a musical legacy behind. He was a songwriter and music maker, and a creative force in his own right, with the ability to forge bonds across every genre of music. The Perturbed in San Antonio, Ese in Houston, The Sonnets in Chicago, Louder Than Bombs and Rattlesnake Whip in Memphis— just to name a few of the bands he was an important, and often foundational part of— can attest to this fact.

He was a multi-instrumentalist, equally able to pick up a guitar or bass or play the piano and keyboard. He was a beast behind a kit though, and considered himself a drummer above all else, although the tambourine was his favorite instrument.

Daisun was a musician, but he was also a talented producer— not only patient and encouraging with the musicians he worked with, but a perfectionist during the recording, mixing, and mastering process. This served him and others well in his music studio at The Cornpound in San Antonio, as well as in his role as lead Audio Technician at Prestige AV in Memphis, where he was highly respected for his knowledge, professionalism, and ability to get shit done and get it done right, no matter the circumstances.

Daisun was an old punk rocker. He was kind and generous and handsome. He was angry about the state of the world and he was always ready with a Molotov cocktail to change it. He was thoughtful and creative, and he had a fondness for plaid, Porsche Boxters, and breakfast tacos. He was sensitive and loyal to the people he loved, and he was absolutely hilarious. He was a staunch vegetarian and he stood by his homies. He hated bigotry and hypocrisy of every kind.

Daisun was one of a kind and he is so loved. He will be missed beyond measure.