Ifeanyi C. Okafor

Obituary of Ifeanyi C. Okafor
Peacefully on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 at age 73. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Janice
Marilyn Okafor and his family. Sons, Ifeanyi (LaShaunda) Okafor, Ngozi (Gina) Okafor, Nwana (Ashley) Okafor,
his daughter Reynelda Okafor; his grandchildren, Reyshaun, Akanni, Eviana, Enzi, and Ezariah. He is also
survived by his siblings Anthonia (Tom) Odey, Ijeoma (Nkechi) Okafor, Joy Elite, Alex (Avelina) Okafor, Chiedu
(Marcia) Okafor; Ofulue (Shalanda) Okafor, Florence (Felix) Elimihele, Adaeze (Uche) Nnam and many nieces
and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Mathew Okafor and mother Clarice Okafor.
Ifeanyi Charles Okafor was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria on June 4th, 1951. At the age of just 19 years
old, he did something most people wouldn't dare to do. He came to America with only $100 in his pocket and a
dream in his heart: to leave a legacy.
Charles was an entrepreneur, business owner, and an accountant. However, I always thought he should've
been a lawyer. His wittiness, candor, and inquisition always led people to think deeper. Regardless of who you
were or where you came from, he was a firm believer that respect was everything. He not only demanded
respect, he expected it. Sometimes I struggled to comprehend his rules, stern approach, or reasoning behind
most things. As I have now come to have my own children, I realize the lessons behind everything. Proverbs
22:6 NLT: "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it."
My father prepared us children for adulthood. He prepared me to be a better father, husband, and provider for
my family. He often told me "I don't have any money to leave you, but I will leave you with a good name." That
is the legacy he has left behind.
One of the phrases my father frequently used to impart wisdom upon me was, "If you think I'm tough on you,
the world is even tougher." These words resonate deeply with me, especially during this challenging moment.
This is the toughest moment of my life thus far. He consistently expected me to act with integrity and
responsibility, never compromising on these principles. He instilled in me the value of hard work and efficiency,
yet he was one of the most dedicated individuals I have known. He dedicated himself to providing for his family
and raising his children to achieve their full potential. He was not one to sugarcoat his words, and when he
expressed his pride in his children and his unwavering admiration for his wife, his sentiments were genuine and
sincere.
Dad is the foundational easel to the Okafor painting whom God brushstroked. What a privilege. One of the
greatest privileges. He is loved, revered and missed. Although no longer tangible, his spirit is present. This gift
of you is within us, surrounds us, is us. Such an infectious laugh. Amazing wisdom that is truly special and his
stories of his experiences are of 100 men. A man with a powerful voice yet can be as graceful as an eagle. His
journey on this earth was one marked by extreme hard work, intelligence, and unwavering love for this family.
He would fight and protect his family with strength and honor. His transition with the ancestors has left a void in
the hearts of his family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by him. We ask that you remember
him not for the way his life ended, but for the way it was lived, and for the large impact it had on the lives of
those who had the pleasure of knowing him. We're grateful and blessed and this is a remembrance of your
legacy. Peace and forever love, Pops.
My dad was a man of wisdom, integrity and strength that held our family together. His protection, teachings,
steady presence and love shaped who I have become. His guidance will remain with me forever. Though he is
no longer here physically, and my heart is broken, I find comfort in the memories we shared and the legacy of
love he leaves behind. Rest peacefully father, you will always be in my heart, and I will always be your little girl.
His family will receive friends on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, from 11am-1pm at the Paul W. Harris Funeral
Home (570 Kings Highway South).