Hyacinth Egwuatu Elem

With great sadness but humble acceptance to God's will, we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, uncle and friend, Egwuatu Hyacinth Elem who peacefully passed away March 16th 2025 in Yakima WA after a brief illness. Egwuatu Hyacinth Elem was born 4th of 5 children on 01/11/1956 to Nwachukwu and Ejekwere Elem and raised in Umuobasi Mbala Isuochi, Abia State, Nigeria.

He attended Mbala Central school where he excelled. He desired to attend the prestigious Ihube Boys Secondary School. However, his parents could not afford his entrance exam fees. He sold chickens and worked in farms to raise funds to pay for the exam. He Passed his First School Leaving Certificate in 1972 and gained admission into Ihube Boys Secondary School. He forfeited that admission due to his family's continued financial struggles. Alternatively, he relocated to Nsukka to live with his older cousin Ven Elem where he enrolled in a commercial school. Eventually he transferred and graduated from Marshall Commercial School in Okigwe. In 1976 he wrote and passed GCE. His love for education propelled him into seeking and gaining admission into a tertiary institution - Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State. Through sheer determination, resilience, and unwavering passion for education, he earned OND in Accountancy and HND in Business and Secretarial Studies. He was a resolute champion of higher education for all and inspired many to further their studies.

He began his professional career as a typist in the judiciary, a role that would later ignite his love for service. His first job as a typist was at Onitsha High Court in 1978. He was transferred to Awka High Court in 1979 then Ekwulobia Magistrate Court in 1985. During his many years in the judiciary, he made many friends and built long lasting relationships. He was nicknamed 'Hyman' by his close friends from his days at the courthouse. May 1992, he retired from civil service (judiciary) and with the help of his friend Mbaronye Obialor pursued a position as a contract staff with Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigerian Plc (SPDC) Rumuomasi, Port-Harcourt. His first job was an administrative assistant in the Production Department where he excelled eventually leading the Training Department. Due to his proficiency and endearing personality he was quickly promoted to administrative supervisor, a role he served alongside many foreign nationals such as his very good friend Chip Yee from Malaysia for decades. He worked in many SPDC locations including Bonny Terminal, Warri, Bayelsa, Kolo Creek, Soku Gas Plant. He spent 20+ years in Soku Gas Plant contracted by OFADRI Nigerian Limited where he is fondly known as Soku Admin or Elder - a well respected leader readily available to give advice and mediate peace. He touched countless lives with his warmth, generosity and loving kindness. He retired in 2020. Throughout his career, he was a man of excellence, discipline, cherishing all the moments and people he met along the way.

Egwu a, as lovingly referred to by those closest to him, met the love of his life, Ngozi, in 1980 in Awka, Nigeria. They were married in December 1983 and are blessed with 4 children later welcoming an adoptive daughter into their hearts and home. He was the Covering and the Hero in his family. He loved, nurtured, protected, cared for, and provided for his wife and children. He was always there with a smile, a joke, a helping hand and/or great advice when needed. He pinched pennies to ensure his children went to good schools and universities. Where he was limited, he ensured his children soared. A devoted husband and loving father, grandfather, and father in-law, he leaves behind a legacy of unwavering love for God, strength, love, kindness, and peace. He was a man of immense humor and wisdom cherishing every moment spent with his countless friends and all who knew him. He was humble, kind and disciplined. His proudest moments were when he was serving God, his family or his community.

A devout Christian from a very young age, he spent many years planting and nourishing Churches of Christ in South South and South East Nigeria. He always found joy in encouraging young churches, sharing communion cups/trays, and hymn books to small churches. He had leadership positions in several churches. He continually sought and found ways to help his home congregations financially, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. He attended many evangelism outreaches and lectureships. Many were baptized by him. He will mediate and resolve conflicts in churches and between members. After his arrival in the USA in 2023, he continued to minister to the churches in Nigeria. He became a member of Summit View Church of Christ in Yakima, WA where he led in singing and taught the congregation a few Nigerian Christian songs. He loved singing. He was almost always singing. He volunteered frequently at church and in the community ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs assistance. He was a man of strong faith, a true christian filled with the fruits of the spirit.

Elder, as fondly called by many, loves to exercise both at home and while working offshore. In the village he would run miles everyday and encouraged both the old and the young to live a healthy life. He exercised almost daily and ate healthy meals. He was known to organize races, exercise and sporting events. Dede Egwu's other love was farming/gardening. He had multiple crop plantations; plantains, bananas, palm trees, pineapples. He had farmlands in Ekwulobia and Isuochi. He loved to plant and harvest yams earning the community-acclaimed title "Di-ji" due to his extraordinary harvests. Many times he would give these harvests to students in the community and others who are in need. He always gave to those who he perceives as needing more than he does. In the village, he is affectionately known as Dede Biscuit because he would buy biscuits for children every time he would visit his hometown. He respected and treated everyone equally regardless of belief, socioeconomic background, religion, age, or social status. Nwachinaemere was a source of strength for so many, a pillar in his family and community and a beacon of righteous living to many believers.

While visiting his children in Nigeria he became sick. He returned to the US to receive treatment but passed away 9 months later on March 16. He died peacefully surrounded and held by his family. He was predeceased by his father Nwachukwu James Elem, mother Ejekwere Mercy Elem, older brother Ogbonnaya Bob Elem, sons in-law Ikechukwu Amanari and Iniobong Awak. He leaves behind wife Ngozi R Elem and children Onyinye (Sommie), Chidinma (Zara, Kaima), Ikenna (Chinaemerem, Pearl), Chijindu, and Chioma, elder brother - Eboliwe Joseph Elem, elder sister - Mrs Nnennaya Ifoh and younger sister - Mrs. Utonwa Victoria Orih, many nephews, nieces, cousins, christian brothers/sisters, and friends. He is a rare gem and his legacy will live on in the numerous lives he touched.

To commemorate his incredible journey through life, a celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Summit View Church of Christ, 100 N 72nd Ave, Yakima, WA 98908. He will be laid to rest in his home in Umuobasi Mbala Isuochi Abia State, Nigeria on April 18, 2025. Thanksgiving Service to follow at his hometown congregation Church of Christ Mbala Isuochi on April 20, 2025.

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