Okechi Nnadozie Nwabara was a beautiful, strong, and brilliant man, father, husband, brother, son, nephew, cousin, friend, doctor, and ezigbo nwa (good child) of the world. He was the kind of man who split his love so evenly, everyone who loved him dearly could feel like the only person in the room, constantly filled with his supportive, jovial, caring, and giving spirit. It is with great sorrow, but with duty to those who knew and loved him and those he knew and loved, that the entire Nwabara family announce his transition to Glory to be with his father Samuel Nwankwo, mother Comfort Chisara and brother Enyinnaya Chimeremeze on the 4th of January, 2021. He is survived by his wife Ijeoma, children Olaocha, Nnadozie, Odochi (Jesús), Kelechi, and Uzoma as well as Ogechi who they raised as their own, his brother Obioha (Grace), sisters Chisara and June, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles and aunties who are and continue to be dear to him.

Okechi was born in Umuahia, Nigeria on December 2, 1952 at Methodist Hospital in Amachara. He attended primary school at Methodist Elementary School in Umuabali, Umuahia. From there,

Okechi briefly attended the Methodist Elementary School at Uzuakoli, Abia State. He completed elementary school at St. Paul's Elementary School, Nsukka, Abia State. His favorite time in school was recess when he played soccer with his friends. He then proceeded to boarding school at the Anglican Secondary School, Nsukka. His high school education was interrupted by the Biafran War of 1967, when he was conscripted into the Biafran Army at age 15 years and served bravely until the war ended in 1970. After the war, he reunited with his father. During the war, his mother had already bravely and diligently organized for his siblings to be brought to join her in the United States. A mother’s protection knows no bounds or borders! He resumed high school at Government College Umuahia (GCU), one of Nigeria’s most prestigious boys’ boarding schools, of which he had very fond memories. He was a goalkeeper for the varsity soccer team and built a great network of GCU friends. Okechi speaks fondly of his time in Nigeria, honored to be raised by his beloved parents as well as his grandparents, Nwabara Ehiogu and Adauwaoma. Truly, he was surrounded with the love of family and friends that would last a lifetime, and beyond.

Okechi came to the United States in 1970 after his time at Government College. He joined his mother and siblings who were already in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. There, a new chapter in life began, his love for Detroit/Michigan. When he arrived, he was placed in the same class as his younger brother Enyinnaya to catch up with schooling. He would always affectionately joke about this, stating how his brother refused and so he was then placed in his final year of high school thereby skipping a few grades without the background knowledge of the school work. He had to work extremely hard to finish strongly, and he did. 

He went on to attend Denison University in Ohio where he obtained a bachelors in Biology. From there he gained acceptance to the University of Michigan’s Medical School in Ann Arbor. There he met some of his closest friends who are now brothers and sisters, and uncles and aunties to his children to this day. He graduated with his medical degree in December 1980, did his rotating internship followed by residency in Internal Medicine at Wayne State University Hospital, Detroit and finished in 1984. He held a practice in Gary Indiana and worked in hospitals and nursing homes throughout Northwest Indiana for almost 40 years. During his time as a practicing physician, he was loved by his many patients. Surely his family benefited from the many gifts, meals, cakes, and presents he shared regularly from patients, nurses, hospital staff, and fellow physicians. When his children were young, he’d take them to the hospitals on weekends where the nurses and staff doted upon them, sharing their love for Okechi with his children. He was an exemplar of a doctor who cared about both his patients’ physical as well as emotional wellbeing. All parts of his heart poured into the way he cared. He belonged to many medical associations and served as executive in some including past President of the Methodist Hospital Medical Staff.

He met his future wife, Ijeoma Okoroafo, at a little gas station in Umuahia called Aka God. It was love at first sight. Ijeoma and Okechi wrote letters for a year while Ijeoma was in Nigeria and Okechi was in the States. Soon after, he was visiting her father to ask for her hand in marriage. They married in his hometown in 1983 and returned to the United States together. It was not long after that they filled their home with five children, truly giants on this earth in height and in heart (like their father, with the strength of their mother). Over time, many children including many of his nieces and nephews became like adopted children, filling his house with joy. He truly loved every one of them and gifted each child with a special nickname. Each child had a special connection with their father. 

Okechi was truly an example of what it means to be a dedicated son, upholding the magnanimous legacy left by his father. He was a humble servant of God, committed to providing not only for his people around him in the United States but back in Nigeria as well. Anyone who knew his movements, knew that as soon as he touched down, word spread fast and quickly people lined up with ailments, physical concerns, old medical statements, and such and received a jovial conversation, good music, delicious food, heartfelt support, let alone medical advice. He always checked in on his uncles, aunties, elders, cousins, friends, and enjoyed meeting the youth, those new to the world since last he came. He made sure he had enough love to share, and taught this to those he considered his children. He was a true son of the soil, a dibia (healer), one who loved to see his whole global village thrive. 

He also knew how to have fun! His parties were epic, music never-ending, conversations flowing, drinks always pouring, food exquisite and stomach filling. He enjoyed watching football, always supporting the Michigan Wolverines and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also enjoyed a good Western movie, believing that the lessons about their code of conduct around the virtue, caliber, and weight of a man’s word was always worth the attentive watch. He loved to travel the world, but only to places with great food! He listened to music from around the African world (e.g. reggae, Afrobeat, Caribbean, Calypso, Black American [Motown!!!], South African) and enjoyed dancing with his wife and kids. He loved to drink beer, cognac, chardonnay and palm wine. He enjoyed good food, meats and never joked with his ofe(soup) na garri and pepper soup.

Okechi was, and in heaven continues to be, a warrior, a fighting spirit. He was our Buffalo Soldier. He knew how to fight for those he loved, but was gentle. He loved to put his hands in the dirt to make things grow. He was steadfast, yet flexible enough to understand where people from all walks of life were coming from. He was the brightest star in any room, yet valued the sacred nature of reflection, meditation, and silence. He was always anxious to make things happen for those around him, but by example taught all those around him the virtue and power of patience. His name, Okechi, means “God’s portion”. Such a load one must carry, in order to live according to one’s chi (spirit) and in service to God and thus those around him. And truly he was up to the task as the child of Samuel Nwankwo and Comfort Chisaraokwu, grandson of Nwabara Ehiogu and Adauwaoma and grandson of Ogu Ohaeri and Olaocha. He embodied this name and destiny with grace, love, and strength! Already he lives on, with nieces and nephews who are his namesake and many more to come. This gift/portion from God, Okechi, was an example of how to be a good son and daughter on this earth. Ije oma (Safe journey)