GEORGE EGBUNIWE

Sir George Ikemefuna Egbuniwe of Umudei, Umuosodi in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria was born June 8, 1939 in Ibadan in present day Oyo State, Nigeria. He was the first son of Omakalonye Mr. Vincent Boniface Egbuniwe and Mrs. Eunice Chinwe Egbuniwe (née Ndaguba) both of Onitsha.

He completed his secondary education at Government Secondary School Afikpo, Ebonyi State. He thereafter gained admission to Ahmadu Bello University for further studies. Before the completion of his program, he proceeded to the United Kingdom.  In the U.K. he met and married his beloved, kind and hard-working wife, nurse-midwife Lady Mrs. Eudora Egbuniwe (née Wariso) whom he adored and cherished for all of his days. The young couple grew their family adding a first son, Chude, and a daughter, Nneka, while he completed his studies at the University of London where he earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree.  Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Dallas, Texas, United States to pursue further education and employment opportunities.  After settling in the U.S., the family was blessed to welcome their last-born son, Chike.

Sir George was a life-long learner – he was a lover of reading and writing and the lost art of oratory, he always kept himself abreast of current events both at home and abroad, he strongly encouraged his children to attain higher education, and he continued to pursue his own higher education.  He was conferred a Masters of Science degree in Human Relations & Management by Abilene Christian University at Dallas (1980). He continued further doctorate-level studies at East Texas State University (now a branch of the Texas A&M University system) in Commerce, Texas throughout the mid-1980s.

Sir George welcomed one and all to his home and heart. He was a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, advisor, mentor, confidant, advocate, and trusted friend.  He was a man of great faith, dedicated to raising his children in the Church, and ever ready to share his love of God with others through his leadership and participation in the Igbo Catholic Community choir and the Knights of Columbus. In his last days he made certain that friends and family were attending Mass faithfully, even if by virtual means. He was a founding member and a great leader of countless Onitsha and Igbo local and social organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. As many have attested, Sir George was a man of peace, a man of truth, a man of vision and a pillar of strength to his family, friends from all walks of life, the Onitsha community, and the Igbo and Nigerian community at large.

Sir George was predeceased by his parents, Omakalonye Mr. Vincent Boniface and Mrs. Eunice Chinwe Egbuniwe, and his siblings, Chude Vincent and Ngozika Benedicta. He is survived by his loving wife, Lady Mrs. Eudora Egbuniwe; his children, son Chude Egbuniwe, daughter Nneka Egbuniwe (Ezeozo Nnamdi Akpom), and son Chike Egbuniwe (Ms. Tricia Horatio); his siblings Mr. Ejoh Christopher, Mrs. Obiamaka Patricia Emodi, Mr. Onyemaechi Michael, Mr. Ikechukwu Joseph, Mr. Onyebuchi Kenneth and their spouses; his grandchildren Master Dequan Egbuniwe, Miss Nequa Egbuniwe, Miss Nwamaka Akpom, and Miss Nkeiru Akpom; and a host of in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews both here and abroad.

Sir George I. Egbuniwe, may your soul rest in perfect peace.