– February 15, 2024

Joram Ngiratraol Etpison, known as Tao, beloved son, brother, lover, and friend passed away from the life he so richly lived on February 15, 2024. He was 37 years old.
For the last two years of his life Tao had a known medical condition. Tao spent the last 3 1/2 months of his life with his parents, Suzanne Cowan Etpison Dimeff and Carl Dimeff in Pagosa Springs, CO. There he soaked in the mineral hot spring pools and plunged into the cold San Juan River. In between he cared for the family’s stallion, Tango. If you did not hear from Tao during this time, it was not because you weren’t in his heart. It was because he was sorting out his love for life knowing that his heart could cause him to lose it. He just wanted to spare you the ride.
Tao was on a flight back to Maine where he had lived the last few years with his partner, Katrina Botelho, when he experienced a medical problem. Upon arrival in Atlanta, he was taken to Emory Hospital in Atlanta Georgia. His condition worsened; a portal vein clot was found. Tao passed there, less than 36 hours later.
Tao was born in what was then the District of Palau, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) on April 30, 1986 to Suzanne Cowan (Richland, WA) and Shallum N. Etpison. That TTPI birth certificate later piqued high scrutiny in many a soccer tournament. Tao from Palau. His Grandfather, while President, guided Palau toward independent nation status, enabling Tao to obtain and maintain dual citizenship.
Tao was raised by the sea in Leucadia, CA by his mother and father Carl Dimeff, both attorneys; a profession Tao early on eschewed, yet the art of advocacy early on adopted. His life was later enhanced by the arrival of brother, Trace Dimeff, now a 28-year-old basketball playing Carlsbad entrepreneur.
From an early age Tao traveled seamlessly throughout the world, including
extensive airtime in Alaska due to his mother’s career. Young Tao, incredibly cute with bright spirit, articulate and possessed of impeccable manners, was always warmly welcomed. Tao developed a remarkable knack for navigating any situation,in any country, which served him well on his many international adventures.
Tao was a Johns Hopkins CTY participant, a People to People Student Ambassador, attended the Global Young Leaders Conference and was the recipient of numerous Golden State Academic Excellence Awards. A graduate with multiple degrees from University California Santa Barbara, Tao devoured over eighty books a year, mastering several scientific disciplines. Katrina described him as the most well-read individual she had ever met and just “dripping with coolness.”
Tao is survived by his mother and father who raised him, his brother Trace, and numerous Palauan relatives including parent Shallum N. Etpison, Uchelsias of Peleliu and Rekemesik of Ngatpang; brothers Iked, Nglech, and sister Carol, their children; Aunts Kezia Etpison Nicolescu and Jemina Etpison Finnigan, Rose, Karen and Naemi, Uncle Tafok Etpison and a cousin of the Tao Etpison name, Vice Chairman of the San Carlos Apache Nation.
Additionally, Tao is survived by his many childhood, high school friends and soccer teammates; UCSB Gaucho alumni friends; boarders and High-Country characters in Summit County; and dear friends from Encinitas to across the world. And, of course his soulmate and partner, Katrina Botelho.
Celebrations of Life have been held in North County San Diego and Maine. An upcoming Celebration is planned for Summit County Colorado. A special thanks to brewer Johnny Johur of Artifex Brewery for creating an excellent TAO IPA beer in his honor; to cousin Sheryl Dimeff McCoy for her graciousness and empathy; and to Chef Vincent Monarca of Frisco Colorado, for his enduring mentoring.
While his passing is a great loss to those who loved him, his humanity and ability to live in the moment made his life, though short, memorable. His many talents impactful. Tao truly lived and loved large during his 37 years.

RIP our Oatboy – Oat, Tao, spelled backwards, was his childhood nickname.