Jollyfisher Jr. Jolly Ekpe

It is with mixed feelings of great sadness and immeasurable emotions that we announce the sudden yet peaceful transition to glory of our dear firstborn son, brother, friend, and fisher of men, Jollyfisher Jr. Jolly Ekpe, on December 27, 2023.

The tragic and unexpected demise of Jollyfisher Jr., 21, took place during his family's homegoing for the funeral of their grandmother in Adim.

Born on January 3, 2002, in Abington, Pennsylvania to Jolly and Mercy Ekpe, Jollyfisher Jr. was one of five children: Ekwuyo (Praise), Efaobasi (God's power), Otani (Victor), and Israel (God contends). He was the second child and senior of their four sons. Heaven's grace alone sustains these siblings of his who not only witnessed the tragedy up close but returned from home without him.

Jollyfisher Jr. began his education at Pennridge School District and then finished at Quakertown Community School District following his family's relocation to Quakertown in 2014. Enrolled in the Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP) throughout his career education, Jollyfisher's intellect, vibrancy, resiliency, big heart, and passion endeared him to his pursuit of excellence in his academic and other fields of endeavor. His inspiration and impact were evident in the Quakertown Panther's soccer team, Quakertown Marching Band, Indoor Drumline, QHS Jazz Band, QHS Varsity Singers, and Track and Field events (100m dash, 200m dash, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay). He was a National Honor Society member and served in the QHS Student Government Council.

Jollyfisher Jr. graduated from QCSD in 2020 and then took a frog leap to the far west coast (California) to pursue his career dream in Performing Arts. Jollyfisher's commencement at Azusa Pacific University (APU), Azusa, CA was slated for May 4, 2024. Unfortunately, the clock has changed, and the time has reversed! However, with just one semester of studies left, APU observed that Jollyfisher has completed over 166%, (surpassing the required percentage of 75%) of the coursework needed to be eligible for graduation. In this regard and show of honor for Jollyfisher Jr., coupled with the immeasurable impact and influence he had brought on the APU community, on February 1, 2024, APU conferred a diploma of Bachelor's in Performing Arts for the Fine Arts and Screen, posthumously. Jollyfisher also pursued double minors in Psychology and Screenwriting.

Jollyfisher Jr. was a very devout Christian. His spiritual journey was both transparent and consistent with Apostle Paul's words, "You are our living epistles, written in our hearts, known, and read by all men; clearly, you are living epistles of Christ,..." 2 Corinthians 3:2-3. Jollyfisher Jr. loved his LORD and Savior. Through his submission to His will and divine purpose, God used him to inspire and impact the people he encountered in Africa, the U.S., and elsewhere.

Jollyfisher Jr. was an outstanding musician and instrumentalist which included drum set, tenor drums, guitar, cello, mellophone, and piano. This ability perfectly captures Jollyfisher's adventurous spirit, love for music, and worship. He worshipped and served in ZOE Christian Fellowship, Unabandoned in East Swamp Church, APU Global Worship Team, and also supported and helped with children's ministry.

Throughout his high school and college careers, Jollyfisher broadcasted his love for the performing arts and film industry through involvement in various opportunities presented. Most recently, he showcased this talent by directing a drama called BEYOND with his immediate younger brother, Efaobasi. BEYOND is a 9-episode coming-of-age drama. The series follows a group of high school adolescents as they come face to face with complications after the 'party of the summer' sees one of their friends in an overdose-induced coma. These characters face loss of identities chasing a flawed facade of themselves but find healing through facing the truth and letting go. Showrunners, Jollyfisher Jr. and Efaobasi Ekpe, shot the first two episodes in the summer of 2023, priced at a significant $30,000 budget. The show is in sight to be premiered at upcoming 2024 and 2025 film festivals, in hopes to be bought and or picked up.

Jollyfisher Jr. was also set to play the role of "Benedick" from Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" for Azusa Pacific University's Spring 2024 season. This leading role would have been his final project and final story with his beloved university.

During a family trip to Nigeria in 2018, the dilapidation of the Adim community, where his parents hail from, struck a chord in him and moved him and his home-based cousin to do something about it. Both founded a non-governmental organization (NGO), called Adim Community Remodeling Firm, ACRF, on July 8, 2022. ACRF's chief mission is to carry out 3Rs - remodeling, restructuring, and redevelopment, projects in various regions in Adim community.

Jollyfisher Jr. had so much going for him in this short amount of time the Lord had loaned him, and we are all still in shock and awe that he left this much work unfinished. Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.

Jollyfisher's family deeply appreciates your support during this difficult time and asks that in lieu of flowers, you make contributions to any of the following:

- Jollyfisher Ekpe Memorial Theater Arts Scholarship: please use this online link: apu.edu/give. Select "I'll type my designation below" and direct it to the "Jollyfisher Scholarship."

- Jollyfisher Ekpe Memorial QCSD Leadership, Advocacy, and Mentorship Scholarship: through https://www.eastswamp.org/give direct it to the "Jollyfisher Memorial QCSD Scholarship."

- Jollyfisher Ekpe Memorial SCM/ADIM U.S.A Youths & Community Empowerment: through Venmo @eastswampchurch. Please write Ekpe Scholarship in the memo section.

Furthermore

The Celebration of Life Gathering in Jollyfisher Jr. Ekpe's honor will be held on March 9, 2024 at 11am at East Swamp Church, 2405 East Swamp Rd., Quakertown, PA. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed at eastswamp.org/watch.

Jollyfisher Ekpe family also

- appreciates wearing bright colors

- encourages carpooling