Even though we never met but we share a lot of special people together. May your soul rest in perfect peace.
Tributes
Leave a tributeEven though we never met but we share a lot of special people together. May your soul rest in perfect peace.
You will be sorely missed. I've been blessed to have known you for over 15yrs. I've come to know you as a loving father and husband. I will definitely miss you're passionate conversations about politics. I feel fortunate that I was able to visit you at the hospital. When I held your hand and spoke to you I felt that you could feel my love and concern for you. When I received the news that you had started speaking I was filled with Joy and hope that you would recover. I was saddened to hear about your passing a day later.
Thank you for allowing me & Nicole to become a part of your family. We look forward to the day when we will meet again in our father's house. May God bless you, Anthonia, Tiffany, Chris & Anthony. We will be there for them as your family has become a part of our family as well.
With heavy hearts we say goodbye to you Felix.
Allan & Nicole Medrano
You will be sorely missed. I've been blessed to have known you for over 15yrs. I've come to know you as a loving father and husband. I will definitely miss you're passionate conversations about politics. I feel fortunate that I was able to visit you at the hospital. When I held your hand and spoke to you I felt that you could feel my love and concern for you. When I received the news that you had started speaking I was filled with Joy and hope that you would recover. I was saddened to hear about your passing a day later.
Thank you for allowing me & Nicole to become a part of your family. We look forward to the day when we will meet again in our father's house. May God bless you, Anthonia, Tiffany, Chris & Anthony. We will be there for them as your family has become a part of our family as well.
With heavy hearts we say goodbye to you Felix.
Allan & Nicole Medrano
Rest in Peace, Bro Ifeanyi!
Chiedozie Ohiaeri
Ifeanyi, I am still in shock that you left us too soon. I will ever cherish our friendship. You were a true friend, we called each other "Bad Boy". Who are we to question God for his actions. He gives life and call us home when it is time. You are in a better place. Indeed it is well with your soul. May you find everlasting peace in our Lord.
Ephraim
UZOMA & COCO.
Ifeanyi, I am still in shock that you left us too soon. I will ever cherish our friendship and the jokes we shared.....called each other "Bad boy." You were in deed a true friend.
Who are we to question God for his actions?. The Lord giveth life and call us home when it is time. It is well with your soul. You are in a better place, looking down over your family.
Adieu my dear Ifeanyi. May you find everlasting peace with the almighty God.
N. Ephraim Nkemere
The Bible, however, holds out a much different hope. The Scriptures indicate that it is possible to be reunited with your dead loved one in the near future, not in an unknown heaven but right here on earth under peaceful, righteous conditions. And at that time humans will have the prospect of enjoying perfect health, and they will never have to die again. ‘But surely that is wishful thinking!’ some may say.
What would it take to convince you that this is a sure hope? To believe in a promise, you would need to be certain that the one making the promise is both willing and able to fulfill it. Who, then, is it that promises that the dead will live again?
In the spring of 31 C.E., Jesus Christ boldly promised: “Just as the Father raises the dead up and makes them alive, so the Son also makes those alive whom he wants to. Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his [Jesus’] voice and come out.” (John 5:21, 28, 29) Yes, Jesus Christ promised that millions now dead will live again on this earth and have the prospect of remaining on it forever under peaceful, paradisaic conditions. (Luke 23:43; John 3:16; 17:3; compare Psalm 37:29 and Matthew 5:5.) Since Jesus made the promise, it is safe to assume that he is willing to fulfill it. But is he able to do so?
Less than two years after making that promise, Jesus demonstrated in a powerful way that he is both willing and able to perform the resurrection.
“Lazarus, Come On Out!”
It was a touching scene. Lazarus was gravely ill. His two sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word to Jesus, who was across the Jordan River: “Lord, see! the one for whom you have affection is sick.” (John 11:3) They knew that Jesus loved Lazarus. Would not Jesus want to see his sick friend? Curiously, instead of going to Bethany immediately, Jesus stayed where he was for the next two days.—John 11:5, 6.
Lazarus died some time after the message about his sickness was sent. Jesus knew when Lazarus died, and he intended to do something about it. By the time Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, his dear friend had been dead four days. (John 11:17, 39) Could Jesus bring back to life someone who had been dead that long?
On hearing that Jesus was coming, Martha, a woman of action, ran out to meet him. (Compare Luke 10:38-42.) Touched by her sorrow, Jesus assured her: “Your brother will rise.” When she indicated her faith in a future resurrection, Jesus plainly told her: “I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.”—John 11:20-25.
Upon arriving at the tomb, Jesus directed that the stone closing its entrance be taken away. Then, after praying aloud, he commanded: “Lazarus, come on out!”—John 11:38-43.
All eyes were fixed on the tomb. Then, out of the darkness, a figure emerged. His feet and hands were bound with wrappings, and his face was bound with a cloth. “Loose him and let him go,” ordered Jesus. The last of the unraveled bandages fell to the ground. Yes, it was Lazarus, the man who had been dead four days!—John 11:44.
Did It Really Happen?
The account of the raising of Lazarus is presented in the Gospel of John as a historical fact. The details are too vivid for it to be a mere allegory. To question its historicity is to question all the miracles of the Bible, including the resurrection of Jesus Christ himself. And to deny the resurrection of Jesus is to deny the Christian faith as a whole.—1 Corinthians 15:13-15.
Actually, if you accept the existence of God, you should have no problem believing in the resurrection. To illustrate: A person can videotape his last will and testament, and after he dies, his relatives and friends can see and hear him, in effect, as he explains how his estate is to be handled. A hundred years ago, such a thing was unthinkable. And to some people now living in remote parts of the world, the technology of video recording is so beyond comprehension as to seem miraculous. If scientific principles established by the Creator can be used by humans to reconstruct such a visible and audible scene, should not the Creator be able to do far more? Is it not reasonable, then, that the One who created life is capable of re-creating it?
The miracle of Lazarus’ restoration to life served to increase faith in Jesus and the resurrection. (John 11:41, 42; 12:9-11, 17-19) In a touching way, it also reveals the willingness and desire of Jehovah and his Son to perform the resurrection.
‘God Will Have a Yearning’
The response of Jesus to Lazarus’ death reveals a very tender side of the Son of God. His deep feelings on this occasion clearly indicate his intense desire to resurrect the dead. We read: “Mary, when she arrived where Jesus was and caught sight of him, fell at his feet, saying to him: ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping and the Jews that came with her weeping, groaned in the spirit and became troubled; and he said: ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him: ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus gave way to tears. Therefore the Jews began to say: ‘See, what affection he used to have for him!’”—John 11:32-36.
Jesus’ heartfelt compassion is here indicated by three expressions: “groaned,” “became troubled,” and “gave way to tears.” The original-language words used in recording this touching scene indicate that Jesus was so deeply moved by the death of his dear friend Lazarus and the sight of Lazarus’ sister weeping that His eyes brimmed over with tears.
What is so remarkable is that Jesus had previously brought two others back to life. And he fully intended to do the same with Lazarus. (John 11:11, 23, 25) Yet, he “gave way to tears.” Restoring humans to life, then, is not a mere procedure for Jesus. His tender and deep feelings as manifested on this occasion clearly indicate his intense desire to undo the ravages of death.
Since Jesus is ‘the exact representation of Jehovah God’s very being,’ we rightly expect no less of our heavenly Father. (Hebrews 1:3) Of Jehovah’s own willingness to perform the resurrection, the faithful man Job said: “If an able-bodied man dies can he live again? . . . You will call, and I myself shall answer you. For the work of your hands you will have a yearning.” (Job 14:14, 15) Here the original-language word that is rendered “you will have a yearning” denotes God’s earnest longing and desire. (Genesis 31:30; Psalm 84:2) Clearly, Jehovah must keenly anticipate the resurrection.
Can we really believe the resurrection promise? Yes, there is no doubt that Jehovah and his Son are both willing and able to fulfill it. What does this mean for you? You have the prospect of being reunited with dead loved ones right here on earth but under very different conditions!
Jehovah God, who started mankind off in a lovely garden, has promised to restore Paradise on this earth under the rule of His heavenly Kingdom in the hands of the now glorified Jesus Christ. (Genesis 2:7-9; Matthew 6:10; Luke 23:42, 43) In that restored Paradise, the human family will have the prospect of enjoying life without end, free from all sickness and disease. (Revelation 21:1-4; compare Job 33:25; Isaiah 35:5-7.) Gone, too, will be all hatred, racial prejudice, ethnic violence, and economic oppression. It will be into such a cleansed earth that Jehovah God through Jesus Christ will resurrect Ifeanyi, Felix Okeani.
The time we had, Dad, wasn't nearly enough
To pack in an entire lifetime of joy and love.
There are so many tickles that I have to give to you,
But now that you are gone, there is no way you can get mad when I do.
Yea, there are always pictures to help me remember,
But living without you will be hard as I go into the month of September.
Crying and grief, of course, will pass me slowly by,
But that will never stop me from wondering why?
There is no good reason why you were taken so soon
However, you will always be there for me like the reruns of cartoons.
There is never a simple answer to questions like this,
So always keep in mind and never forget, that you will be missed.
-Kosolu :)
CHINNY
"I write this to you, knowing fully well that you will be able to hear my voice, for your spirit lives on forever. My father, my friend, my nearest and dearest, 16 years of my life that I have spent with you always by my side and always there when I needed you. 16 years that I will never forget and will always remember. For the journey ahead and the roads that lie to the beginnings of my life have been paved by you. They say when something is tough it is "as difficult as brain surgery" For me this journey will be,as they say "as difficult as brain surgery", but I know that your spirit lives on with me and there is no task I will not be able to accomplish. Thank you for the best years of my life. I love you dad."
I remember the first time I saw Uncle Felix was in 2002 and the warmth that exuded from him was unforgettable. A joke was always a sentence away. From 2002 to 2014, I spent vacations in his house periodically and i always felt at home with him. On July 13th 2014, I arrived his house, excited as always, ready to have a great vacation. Little did I know what tragedy fate had in store me. On this trip, we bonded. From your educating me about American politics, to the lecture on recycling or the benefits of coconut water amidst numerous jokes. How was I to know that your time was almost up. On the day of the party, for the first time, we were the ones waiting for u to be ready. We sat in the car and waited impatiently for you to come out of the house. I remember when you finally stepped out of the house in your all white ensemble, i said to my sister "wow, it was worth the wait". In retrospect, that was the last time you were in the house so maybe that was why you took so long. At the party, you were your usual jovial self. Mingling and cracking jokes. We all danced, ate, laughed and had fun. Then it happened. You got up for us to leave and just started falling. That was the beginning of this bad dream that just wouldn't end. A single moment that changed all our lives. Going to visit you in the hospital was heart breaking because knowing how active you were, seeing you lying on a hospital bed was saddening. Throughout the 8 days of your stay in the hospital, we all prayed for a miracle and we were granted one. You opened your eyes and spoke. We jubilated. Little did we know that the miracle was to enable you see us one last time but not for you to stay. On August 10th, your soul departed leaving us devastated with grief. The remaining days I spent in your house, I wake up and see your car parked outside and I expect to hear your voice or see you moving around. Then I remember that you are no more and the reality sets in.
Though you are gone from this realm, you left behind a legacy of wisdom and knowledge. As your soul journeys on, may you receive the help you need to return to Paradise. Goodbye Uncle Felix. You will always be remembered and missed.
We hope you'll find a touch of comfort in knowing that we remember and that we are thinking of you. May the scriptural counsel found at Acts 24:15 and John 5:28-29 comfort you at this time. Love from Chizoba & Nelma.
My heartfelt condolences to the Okeani family and all Ogidi indigenes all over the world for this untimely departure of our brother. Our prayers for the family and for his soul that the Almighty give him a perfect rest. We will forever miss him but consoled that we will meet again. PEACE!
You were such a positive, inspiring spirit who always imparted knowledge and wisdom whether it was in the form of a gift of books or simply advising me when I was unsure of my career plans. Your humor has filled my home with joy and laughter, and you will be dearly missed. Ernest Hemingway once said, "No one you love is ever truly lost." You are not lost to us, Uncle, for your spirit will live on. Thank you for all the gladness that you have brought to me and to my family.
Your Niece,
Nanma Okeani
It seems like just yesterday when you were with us at Nanma’s graduation party. I still remember your contagious smile and positive outlook on life. You have truly helped shape me into the man that I am today. You taught me to never be complacent and always look for ways to improve. “Forwards ever, backwards never” was the phrase you would always tell me. My relationship with my brother, Toby, often reminds me of your relationship with my father. Your relationship has taught me the true importance of family and looking after one another. Thank you so much for the joy and wisdom you brought into our lives. You will be greatly missed
Your Nephew,
Dubem
It has truly been a blessing to have gotten to know you throughout my coming of age. Life gives us moments and people that truly make an impact on how we live our lives henceforth. You are one of these people and have given me so many of those moments.
Your calm demeanor, jovial attitude, and positive outlook are qualities that I have always aspired to emulate. You meant so much to so many people and connected with my father in a way that I aspire to do with my brother.
Your legacy continues to live on through your wonderful family and friends and god-willing, we can perpetuate the influential moments you have shared with us as we continue to live our lives in honor of you.
"Forward ever, backward never"
-T-boy
My dear, I guess it is no more in our hands now... as God knows the best... It is well with your soul. You liked to do things and do them really well, I guess we had that in common... You were very passionate about mentoring and supporting your children (Anthony, Chris, and Tiffany) to enlightened, matured and successful adults... God bless your gentle soul, and God will bring solace... Go well our great in-law and friend as you stand rested in the bosom of the Almighty. You will always be remembered. Adieu!!! :Peter-Uzoma Iroekwe
Hmmmmmm! Your are The Lord My healer"... I was shocked when Kathy called and told me what happened . We never met but Kathy spoke highly of you...I prayed with her and sent her that song "Your are The Lord My healer" to play by your bedside till you opened your eyes, when she told me a day later you opened your eyes I smiled and looked up to the havens and new God was still God, again she called a few days later that you were able to speak I again looked up to the havens and knew that my God was still a miracle working God, and when she called to say you have gone to glory, I looked up again to haven and thanked my ever faithful God, because I knew he granted the prayers for you to be able to speak and reassure your family before he gave you your angel wings to watch over your wife and kids from the haven above...for I know that all things works for good for those that love God, and his ways are not our ways! May your sweet gentle soul rest in The Lord! And may his grace abide with your wife and children!
Words cannot capture our grief and desolation at this time.
On August 10th, your departure struck without a warning like a thunderbolt in a cloudless sky. We are dumbfounded, terrified and utterly desolate at the fate that befell us.Death a necessary end to earthly existence came calling when we least expected it and the motto of the Boys Scout; “Be Prepared could not have sounded more apt.
Everybody who crossed your path was touched by your humility, honesty, transparency, voluntary consideration and respect for another and willingness to help.I still see the twinkle in your eyes and will hold on to your sunny smiles. Your warmness of character suffused us and its memories hold us aloft. You stood for decency, kindness and compassion. You sowed and invested wisely in your kids at great personal sacrifice. Our gratitude know no bounds for the foundation properly laid, for virtues catalyzed to cultivation, for responsible living drummed in early enough, for quality life bestowed through quality education, for selfless giving and all-embracing love for others.
I am grateful to the Almighty for the opportunity and privilege of knowing you.
My great brother in law! Omesili 1 of Ogidi! My brother ifeanyi! This is tough.
Who will call me “Kathy of London” Chichi loving” my heart is broken.
May His grace abide with you and give us the strength to move on. We hope you find peace and with increased maturity through experiencing and knowledge find your way back to the Eternal kingdom of Paradise wearing the eternal crown of glory. That’s where and when we can meet to part no more. Ga nkeoma Omesili! I will miss you so much. We love you!!!
Kathy Chioma Okoronkwo
Sister in law
It still seems like a nightmare to accept that my “brother Nnukwu” is gone. I lack words to describe your role and mentorship exhibited in the entire Okeani family. You were a coordinator, a spokesman, a humble and humorous man that is ever ready to help, not minding what to get in return. You were always willing to serve others irrespective of the age difference.
“Omesili”, you have left this mother earth, but your legacy remains indelible. You will never be forgotten. Sleep on, till we meet to part no more. My consolation is that death is an inevitable end for everyone. Brother Nnukwu, we love you, but God loves you more.
I recall decades ago when you were with us in Nigeria and you would always give your wise advice to us, especially in the areas of marriage, academics and spirituality. Your pieces of advice were very valuable, as we your younger ones were growing up. Your attention to details and methodical approach to things were excellent. There is now a vacuum created by your demise and only our Almighty God can fill it.
Ezigbo Nwannem, “Amazing Grace” as you would call me na asi gi, ga ije gi nke oma. Ka ebe izuike gi buru na paradise.
Kachi foo….
Nodu Nma ….
Adieu, big brother ….
From Nnukwu Ada Okeani (Sister) Oby Nnadozie
If I were told I will be writing this tribute on you this year I would have doubted and argued but here I am, bowing to the omniscience of the Creator trying to put words on paper. Where do I start to capture in short words a journey that has spanned 38years. Our path crossed in October 1976 as we sat in year one class at the beginning of our degree programme at the Lion’s Den, the citadel of Learning, University of Nigeria (UNN). When we got to know we lived on the same street, Howell’s Crescent, Aba, you in your family house Nos. 3 and I at Nos. 31, a bond of unbroken friendship developed and got further cemented when you married my sister. Both families knew each other through our unique friendship. So close were you to the family that you were the first person my mother contacted, when my father suddenly passed on in the early hours of 5th March 1988. You came to break the news to my husband in Port Harcourt and tactfully managed to bring me back to Aba without letting on the sad event. I remember the laughter we shared on campus and along the street of Howell’s, at WAEC marking venues and of course in your home in California. I still remember you sitting with my late father on the front pavement in hearty chat and ever present laughter. When you asked for my sister’s hand in marriage from the US, where both your paths once more crossed, nobody objected, for you were already a member of the Okoronkwo’s family.
How can I forget the first phone call by mid morning of Sunday 3rd August, 2014. The timing told me of the news even before the caller spoke of your sudden ailment. That set the pattern that whole long week, my heart jumping at each phone ring especially as I heard the initial prognosis which gave no hope. We all prayed for miracle and asked for healing rays to touch you. I remember I spoke with you the afternoon of Saturday 2nd, you even asked to talk with my husband. Both of us remember you were your usual jocular and cheerful self. The more jolting the news became. Hope soared when we heard you opened your eyes, more so when you spoke, when the oxygen mask came off, when the drain fluid got smaller, we prayed even harder preparing for the long haul of rehabilitation and therapy. Alas, we were wrong. Your time was up. You were just permitted to see your family and friends once more before the final exit. That’s how once again out of the blue the rain from a cloudless sky drenched us. The dreaded call came through by 2.15am (Nigerian time) on Monday, 11th August announcing your demise. We knew, my husband and I even before the caller spoke. Deep pain ripped through our soul as we gasped to grasp what has just happened. I know I didn’t just lose a brother-in –law but I lost a true friend and confidant. I was glad I spoke to you one last time before the incident.You have gone the way of all mortals. We are consoled by the fact of your life which sought to cultivate virtues and embrace enduring values. We are grateful for the opportunity of having crossed your path, of experiences shared and dreams fulfilled. We shall remember and cherish these moments. There was no dull moment with you, a born comedian, who could effortlessly have many in stitches with easy jokes. We wish you strength as you journey on into the finer realms of Creation. May recognition come your way and may you awaken to joyful activity. Our loving prayers are with you.
Adieu Nwaokeani, Adieu my true friend and May your path be peaceful.
Professor Florence Nduka (Sister-in-Law)
Ifeanyi, I still think it is a terrible dream, a nightmare I will wake from but each day allows the reality to sink in. How do I know that the ride you gave me to the hospital that Saturday evening will be our last, that a few hours later I will be urgently recalled to your bedside watching you battle for your life, eyes shut and unconscious. My medical training in conflict with my prayerful side as I hoped for a miracle after the Doctor’s brief. A few days later the sound of your voice slowly calling me Baby was music to my ears which I hoped would last.
But our journey together came to a sudden halt as you floated away. It is still a nightmare to remember the call that brought me back as I went to drop-off the children who a few minutes before played with you and a stress ball. No inkling that soon I would hear the quiet voice of the Doctor with the usual “I am sorry” announcing your departure. What can I say and what can I write.
No doubt I will miss your emotional companionship, our lively conversations as we began and ended the day, your signature jokes, your yelling as you urged the children to be focused, your support, your love, my pet name Baby and Obiajulu. It is still a nightmare to think of the days ahead. But you must journey on. We trust in the good Lord to guide and guard your soul and to give us the fortitude to stride on in the security of your loving memories.
Adieu Ifeanyi, Adieu my Love.
Anthonia Obiajulu Okeani (Wife)
Let me categorically state it upfront …. If humans were able to choose their relations, I will undoubtedly beg you to be my brother again in the “next life”.
In this life on earth, a brother is a friend given by nature. To refer to us as brothers would be a gross understatement. We were soul mates, we were “friends”, and we were inseparable in spirit!
To briefly write some notes about you represented one of the easiest tasks that I have ever performed. It is so because our lives together was a great journey. Starting when we were born only a short time apart. We literally grew up together, cultivating and nurturing the same pool of friends. Your friends morphed into mine and vice versa and we cherished and enjoyed the blur.
My brother Ifeanyi, I fondly recall when together we ran, cried, played, laughed and during our teenage years, explored relationships with the opposite gender. We would rejoice in our little victories and lament our disappointments together.
How could life be so cruel to snuff off our continued brotherly love?. How could it deny my brother Ifeanyi of the trappings of old age? How could it take him away from his immediate family?
Our only solace rests with the fact that The Almighty Lord is supreme and we anchor our faith in His infinite wisdom and plan.
Brother Ifeanyi, we enjoyed a strong Sympatico. One that we both even marveled at. May you rest, knowing that your younger brother will tenaciously keep your flag flying. May you sleep, with the comfort of a better tomorrow for your family, May you slumber peacefully realizing that we all will not disappoint you here on earth.
always humble brother, sleep soundly. My soul mate rest well. My unforgettable brother, lie peacefully until we meet again!
BROTHER EMEKA OKEANI
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Reminiscing...
I remember one day during our last vacation in the USA with your family, I was trying to arrange the chairs around the table in the kitchen where we all eat. When you walked in and saw what I was doing, u came in and rearranged the chairs and then proceeded to give a long lecture on the role mathematical calculations play in arranging chairs around a dining table. It wasn't really amusing at the time, but remembered this a few days ago and I laughed so hard my colleagues at work had to ask me what was going on, but there was no way i could explain it to their understanding.....