Godfrey Ekeke Memorial

Celebration of Life

Godfrey Ekeke

Sunrise: August 28, 1956 - Sunset: April 4, 2022

Service:
Lakewood Village Community Church

4515 Sunfield Ave
Long Beach, California
Wednesday, May 18,2022

10:30 am

Order Of Services

Wednesday May 18, 2022 at10:30am

Church

Lakewood Village Community Church

4515 Sunfield Ave. Long Beach, California 90808

Officiant: Prayer: Pastor Chane Smith

Processional

Prayer: Pastor Chane Smith

Old Testament Reading: Ndidi Ekeke

Musical Selection: Christiana Ekeke

New Testament: Christian Ekeke

Musical Selection: Angelica Ekeke

God’s Garden: Timothy Ekeke

Words of Expression : ( 2 Minutes Please)

Obituary: Felicia Guzman

Acknowledgement: Chidozie Ollawa

Words of Comfort: Pastor Chane Smith

Recessional

Obituary

Godfrey Otunwa Ekeke (Goddy) was born on August 28, 1956 in Ohambele, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
To the union of Thomas Otunwa Ekeke and Felicia Nwanyiriuba Nnadede. He was a member of United
Church of Christ Mission (UCC) in Enugu state headed by the late Apostle Samuel Egbo from Isochi.
He was the official Church Interpreter. He was a pastoral assistant whose duty was to translate sermons
from English to Igbo alongside the preacher.

People looked forward to his translations every service as he made the congregation laugh so hard at
intervals. He also preached a few times and was majorly so happy to play the drums in Church. He
was very active member. He worked as a sales expert with Marlboro Manufacturing Company, his
marketing strategy was second to none. He was successful in engaging the general public with music and
sold out his sales targets to the amazement of his bosses every single time. He loved cooking, dancing,
singing and most of all, making people laugh.

Godfrey came to the States in 1979 when he decided to further his education and relocated to Los Angeles,
California as a foreign student. He attended Cal State Northridge to pursue a degree in Communications.
In the year 1983 he met his first wife Francer Olivia Ekeke through a close family friend Chidozie
Ollawa. On April 11, 1987, the couple exchanged their vows among family and friends. They had 5
children together Felicia Ekeke, Christiana Ekeke, Timothy Ekeke, Christian Ekeke and Angelicia Ekeke.

Godfrey was a successful entrepreneur, in the early 90’s he opened the first Nigerian restaurant
AFRICAN SAFARI in Los Angeles County. Both locations were in Inglewood, California. AFRICAN
SAFARI not only provided delicious quality food, it was also a hub for African professionals to network.
It often hosted cultural events such as music entertainment and fashion. He was an exquisite chef who
brought people from all over to experience his fine delicacy. He was featured in various magazines and
local newspapers. Despite his success, the compassion he had for the homeless community lead him to
provide hot meals to those less fortunate from his restaurant. The overwhelming need for his services
lead Godfrey to establish his non-profit organization LA Community Services. LA community services
contracted and collaborated with Los Angeles County and various local and state government agencies
to provide shelter, food and social services to the homeless population. The organization was recognized
by Los Angeles City Council for their tremendous work and impact to the community.

Godfrey had many accomplishments but one of his greatest was his children. In 2001 he welcomed a
daughter Ndidi Ekeke with Onatebo Obuge. Godfrey Ekeke was called home to be with his Heavenly
Father April 4, 2022 and loved ones who have gone before him. He is reunited with his father, mother
and grandmother, sister and brother.

Godfrey leaves to mourn his loss. His sister Nwanyinna Edna Osibajo, 2 brothers: Chef Chibuzor Nnadede,
Chef Barr Nwaoku George Nnadede. His 6 children: Felicia Guzman, Christiana Ekeke, Christian Ekeke,
Timothy Ekeke, Angeicia Ekeke and Ndidi Ekeke. 1 Son-in-Law: Jose Adrian Guzman, 3 Grandchildren:
Malia Guzman, Adrian Guzman and Isaiah Guzman. Honorary daughters/Nieces: Benita Nnadi and
Ng(Ngozi) Nwachuku, 5 nephews: Joseph,Abiola, Ogechi, Ngozi ,Obinna 10 Nieces: Bunmi, Ezinne,
Victoria, Fisayo, Chioma, Onyedikachi, Jane, Janet, Karabo, Maya and host of close family and friends..

Tributes

Dear Daddy,
As difficult as it is to write this, I’m at peace knowing you are resting in the Father’s arms. I consider it an honor
to be your daughter and I have valued the time that we have spent together. These past years together have been a
journey filled with many different emotions but through it all you fought hard until the end. I’m going to miss our
many conversations, your humor, laugh and most of all words of wisdom. You always said when you looked at
me, you saw yourself, words I hold close to my heart. I will continue to make you proud and I promise your legacy
will live through me and your grandchildren. Watch over us, especially Adrian he misses you dearly.
Until we meet together soon.
Love, Felicia (Mommy)

“There is no expiration date on the love between a father and a son. Gone but not forgotten.
Love You Daddy, Christian (Zubie)

Dear Goddy,
You hold a very special place in my heart as father of my 5 beautiful children.
I will forever cherish the special moments that we shared in our years of marriage.
I remember the midnight visits to my college campus, the beautiful traditional outfits you use to bring for me,
the many boat rides on the pier, and the breathtaking dishes you prepared at home.
Thanks for sharing a portion of your life with me.
Love Always,
Debbie

Dear Daddy,
Thank you for showing me a great example of what it means to be brave and courageous.
I have watched you over the year go after your dreams no matter the obstacles you faced.
I saw you build successful businesses from the ground up and always dreamt of doing the same.
Today I honor you and promise to carry on your legacy of bravery and strength.
Love you forever,
Your Ibe Boy

Daddy,
Your time has come to cross over into eternity. If I would have had it my way, you would have been here, just
a little bit longer to see me finally fulfill all my dreams, to see who I would marry, and to see your beautiful
grandkids, but I know you are present, still and have joined the host of angels leading and guiding me through
life. Thank you for all that you gave instilled in me. I love you, dearly. May your soul rest in peace and your spirit
continue to praise the name of our Heavenly Father as you join the angels in heaven, today.
Love Jelly

Hi Daddy,
I love and appreciate you. You were the best dad you could be and I will forever cherish the beauty of our bond.
I would like to say thank u for all of the beautiful memories we shared. You taught me not to fear life or anyone
in it. You lead by example, You chased all of your dreams and reached many milestones. I will never forget your
tenacity, fearlessness, and audacious spirit. I vow to allow all of these amazing qualities to continue to live on in
me. My comfort and confidence is that you are smiling again, laughing again, and forever at peace in the hands of
your Heavenly Father. Heaven gained a real one! I'll see u again one day Daddy.
Love always, your Christy baby

God Garden

God looked around his garden And He found an empty place.
He then looked down upon this
Earth, And saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you and Lifted you to rest.
Gods garden must be beautiful,
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering,
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough,
And the hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids,
And whispered Peace be thine.
It broke our hearts to loseyou;
But you didnt go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.

My New Earthly Address

Godfrey Otunwa Ekeke
Forest Lawn Cypress

4471 Lincoln Avenue FD 1051
(Morning Star Lot 1679)
Cypress, CA 90630

Active Pallbearers

Timothy Ekeke
Christian Ekeke
Jose Adrian Guzman
Colin Haughton

Oji Okike

Honorary Pallbearers

Emma Ollawa
Patrick Bell
Chris Nyenke

Sanfrancise Omuson
Joseph Nwoche

Chief Barr. Nwaoku George Nnadede
Chief Chibuzor Noel Nnadede





Remembering You Always and Always in Our Memories

Acknowledgement
We deeply appreciate your kind expression of sympathy in our time of great
sorrow. We know our pain will decrease and what will remain will always be.

Love all whom you hold dear precious is the time you share.
Do Not wait for tomorrow may not be.

Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
With All Our Love, The Ekeke Family

22939 Hawthorne Blvd. Suite 109
Torrance, California 90505

Office: 310.373.1222 ~ Fax: 310.373.1233
email: [email protected]

www.cllynchmortuary.net