We were so incredibly sad to hear about the passing of Okezie. Our hearts are breaking for Lee Ann and Dominick and the rest of the family. He will always be remembered for his warmth  and incredibly fun and loving way. He touched and healed many through his surgical talents and he will be greatly missed.

Warmly,
Barbara and Todd Albert

De Okey and family,

          I never met your boys but growing up I always heard of them whenever you visited the house at signal barracks. It's so sad that my first time meeting them was at the funeral mass.

          Okezie's loss no doubt is an unfortunate and devastating one that no parent should ever have to deal with but trusting God's words and upholding our faith like your brother Rev. Fr. Jude preached in his sermon, we are bound to believe God knows best.

          You stood by us in our times of grief. On behalf of your good friend, late Col. N.J Madu, his wife Stella Ngozi Madu, and the entire Madu family, we stand together with your family in this time of grief knowing first hand what the pain feels like, we say ndo nu, unu jisie obi ike, unu d'iwe. Accept our sympathy and condolences and may God give you all the strength and fortitude to bear this tough loss.

Emeka Madu for the Madu family.


Dear Margaret and Okechukwu, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Okezie.  He touched so many lives in such a positive way.  You must have been so proud of him and his accomplishments.  All the wonderful memories must be on your mind.  May Jesus grant you His peace and comfort during this difficult time.  You and your family are in my prayers.  Warmly, Ken Stringer

As a Princeton Alumni, as a doctor, and as young person (same ages as Okezie), I am very saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dr. Okezie Aguwa at the age of 35.  I didn’t know him personally, but our lives shared similar paths — knowing how challenging it is to become a doctor (let alone an orthopedic surgeon), I know that he spent most of his life dedicated to this work.  His family would have made sacrifices to support him along that path.

My condolences and sympathy to his family, and to the community and patients who have lost this man, great sympathies.

- Dr. Margaret Soroka, Princeton ‘06

Between birth and death in the period of schooling we call earthly life, we are afforded rich experiences in the context of human relationships. For life is a school, experiences are teachers, and relationships are classrooms. In this respect, the legacy of human relationships lies in the lasting impact our inner qualities make on each other. Consequently, as I reflect on Okezie Aguwa, I ask “what were some of the qualities that characterized him during some of our shared experiences?”

One of the consistent themes in my memory of him was his self-directed goal-oriented nature. He was able to focus and organize the different parts of his life around the pursuit of a singular goal. For example, when a group of us would sit together and talk, he was always defined in his ambition to be an orthopedic surgeon. I was always impressed by this resolve, because it enabled him to direct his life in a determined way. In addition to this quality is his pursuit of excellence. He not only energetically put aspiration to action, but he wanted to rise to the top in all he did. Excellence was the goal. Years later I observed as an adult how, one by one, his formerly stated goals were being successfully realized. These are just some of the qualities that characterized Okezie Aguwa during some of our experiences together. 

Okezie, but as you have suddenly entered the world of spirit, I offer you my kindly thoughts and prayers of goodwill, that they may strengthen you on this new journey. Be assured all your loved ones will be cared for, so do not look backward at the earth, but forward toward the heavens! Set your gaze on the spiritual heights, and move forward courageously. As it is through humility and fervent longing for God that we perceive His omnipresent help, my sole wish is that you spiritually open yourself to this perception, which will encourage and guide you upward toward God’s Eternal Kingdom. May you reach the heights.

Your sincerely,
~Ikenna Quincy Ezealah

Dear Aguwa family,

No words can describe how sorry we are for your loss, please accept our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers will always be with you. May God Almighty who knows beyond our understanding console your family and  heal your broken hearts. May Okezie’s gentle soul Rest In Peace Amen. 



Our sincere prayers and condolences go out to the entire Aguwa family.  May the peace and comfort of our Lord guide and strengthen you.  

Dr Okezie’s soul will Rest In Peace and in the Presence of the Lord. 

With love, 
The Akinbosedes  

Big fella! 

I enjoyed the last few moments we talked downtown Detroit over the last year. It was always  a good time. Your memorable energy, smile, laugh  and confidence always reminded me of your mother, father and siblings who all carry the same trait. I immediately was  referenced the great memories as a child growing up. You and your siblings were one of my favorite “cousins”. 

You developed into a monster in athletics and as a fellow athlete, I couldn’t have been more proud and happy for you. What a life you lived and you took full advantage of every moment without taking anything for granted. 

You will be missed and though I have not met your son, he’s part of the village and can always count on me for any support that he needs. 

Though heaven may not need any surgeons,  I’m sure they may need a D Lineman for one of  its football leagues :-)

Rest in Heaven and love you cuzzo! 

Eze Ejelonu





To Mom and the entire Aguwa Family, 

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May God Almighty continue to strengthen you and give you peace that surpasses all understanding.  May the love and laughter Okezie shared with us forever be in our hearts. His voice will never be forgotten.  We love you! 

With prayer and love,
Sherri Henderson


Beloved Aguwa Family,
We are truly very sorry for the date of your Son, Dr.  Okezie Aguwa. We are very sad hearing such a heartbreaking news. 
Kindly accept our heartfelt sympathy and condolences. 
May God Almighty wipe your tears and grant each and everyone of you divine peace, that passes all understanding. 
May the Soul of Dr. Okezie Aguwa Rest in Perfect Peace, Amen!

Bertram & Happiness Nwaopara

  This will be a very difficult time for your family. Pls be consoled. God gives and He takes. God will direct , protect and provide for his young family . All will be well.May his gentle soul Rest In Peace. 

Daa Maggie, my deepest condolences to you and the entire family. This is a nightmare no parent wants to have. We give God thanks and all the glory for the exemplary life  he lived . A life worthy of emulation ,  even though it was for a short time. God knows best.  My prayer for you  is may the Almighty God wrap His arms around you , console and comfort you. To his wife and son, God will surely console ,  comfort and be with them  as they grieve . He will surely be missed . Dr Okezie Aguwa, sleep on ..... Adieu and Rest In Peace onyeoma...! 

A gentle and fun loving gentle man he was. An excellent and dedicated and talented Orthopedic surgeon he was. Most importantly he was a wonderful and caring son to his parents, a loving and dedicated husband to his wife, a tender and engaging father to his son. A ray of sunlight to his extended family and community at large. It seemed like only yesterday that we were at your wedding. And true to form you left us with glowing memories that we hold dearly .
Gone too soon rest peacefully with God.

My heart breaks for this loss. I will pray for you and your family members to heal. He always had a great smile. 

Chief (Dr) Okey & Dr. (Mrs) Aguwa,
My deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved son Okezie. May your beautiful memories of him bring comfort to you and your family during this difficult time. ... 
May the Almighty Father give you strength and peace in the days ahead, and may his gentle soul through the mercy of the Lord rest in perfect peace ☮️ 🙏🏿😢

Chief Mike Onwuegbuna-Enyi & family 

Dear Aguwa family,
I am so sorry for your loss, and it is with deepest sympathy that I send this message. Okezie and I became friends in high school and I will always remember him as cheerful, caring, and generous. He pushed himself and those around him to achieve excellence, and he loved and cherished his family. My thoughts are with your family during this tough time.

To the Aguwa family,

Please accept our deepest condolences over the loss of Dr. Okezie. It is hard to find words to tell you that will console your hearts in this difficult time, but just know that we will continue to lift you all up in prayer. The times shared with him and the memories made are priceless and will forever live on in our hearts. We also pray for the family he left behind, his wife LeeAnn and son Dominick, that God will also console them and bring peace into this unfortunate event. Love you all, and will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

Kanu & Ezinwanne Jigo & Children

We are praying for Dr and Dr Mrs Aguwa, May God comfort you and your family, we pray for the wife and his young son also. God giveth and he has taken him for reasons we cannot fathom but he knows the best. 
May his soul rest in perfect peace Amen 

My dear Maggie and family,
At this time of grief I pray that our good Lord takes complete control. I do not know Okezie personally, but I know the pain of death. I understand the heart-searing grief of a mother, father and family on the sudden loss of a loved  strong and healthy son and brother. The news explodes in the head and runs through the spine, sometimes challenging all that has been learned through life, and even faith. 

But we also know that the Lord never forsakes His own and that nothing happens that He has not permitted. 
I believe that Okezie, who lived, loved and served without counting the cost, is triumphant. As the Holy Book assures, nothing ‘shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord’.

May Okezie’s gentle shining soul Rest in Perfect Peace. May our ever-caring, ever- present Father comfort and console you, Okezie’s wife and child, and  your entire family at this time of grief. Amen. 
Ugochi 

Dear Aunty Margaret and family,

We were  honoured and blessed to have met Okezie when we visited you in Lansing a few years ago. His gentle demure and warm smile was welcoming. 
A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul ascended to heaven. Prayers and fond memories are what we have to remember our dearly departed. 
Our most heartfelt condolences goes out to you and the family.

From the Nwankpa Family 🇬🇧 🇳🇬

I was shocked to hear of Dr Aguwas sudden passing. I had met Dr Aguwa for what was my first and apparently last Dr appointment with him, just over 2 weeks ago. I've  worked in the building adjacent to Ortho  of MI. for 7 years and I never knew there was a gentle giant there that one day I would meet. He was very easy to talk to and had genuine concern for me as I am recovering from a car accident. Not all Dr's have a great bedside manner but Dr Aguwa certainly did. The last thing he said to me was I want to get a MRI on your lumbar to rule out anything and I'll see you in a couple weeks, take care. I am sad that I will not see him again and my heart goes out to his family and friends during this most difficult time.
I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to meet him and be under his care even for the short time that I was.

Deepest sympathy and prayers for comfort,
Stacy Ostrander 

Okezie was one of the most impressive people I ever met.  He was wise beyond his years, loving, true, and full of life and hope.  I was happy knowing that my son Steve spent time with him and his wonderful family.  He was a member of that family and Margaret fed him as much as I fed Okezie, which says a lot.  Words fail to convey the tragedy and JOY that was his life.  God bless his family--his wife, son and extended Aguwa community.  God be with you as you grieve and learn to walk with him a new way.

 Daddy may the good Lord consoles you and your family may he gives you the heart to bear the great lost,  and may  he  also strengthen  you and your family this time, I know him as a very good  wonderful and gentle man , may his soul rest in peace Amen.

Dear Drs. Okey and Margaret Aguwa and the entire Aguwa family, please accept our heart felt condolences.  Nothing anyone can say to you at this  difficult time will make your pain and hurt go away.  But God is able to heal your broken hearts. Okezie was gone to soon, but he left a remarkable legacy of excellence and humility. A legacy little Kemjika will be proud of. We will continue to lift you all up in prayers. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. It is well.

June 1, 2020

Dear Margaret,

I was so shocked and saddened to read of the death of your son Okezie in Sunday‘s Lansing State Journal.  What a remarkable academic and medical record he achieved in his 35 years. You and your husband must have been so proud of him. 

Bob and I lost a son in an accident at home in 1978. Rob was 13 years old at the time of his death. He had so much potential. It is hard to think about what would have been in store for him had he lived. 

Your situation is so different. Okezie was established in the profession of his choice. His academic and professional credentials were beyond reproach. His career was so full of potential for service to this patients and profession. As parents, you have to know that the work you did raising him and guiding him into adulthood was rewarded by the man he became.  

Please know that Bob and I can identify with the grief you and your husband must be experiencing. This is a fraternity no one wants to join: grieving the death of a child.  Nothing can erase the pain of losing a son. Just know that those of us who have lost a precious child share your loss and pain. 

We send you and your husband Okechukwu our love and prayers

Sylvia and Bob Stevens.


Dr. Okezie, it is very painful and hard to say goodbye this early in your young and vibrant life. Although you overachieved in everything you accomplished, what is of concern now are the important ones you have left undone. But your impeccable record bears you witness that it was not by choice. The last time I saw you was recently when I was in your parents’ house and you dropped in with your wife. We sat down and spoke for a while. Among other things, we talked about my daughter’s improving health condition and you were very insightful and offered me valuable hope. That moment with you gave me an additional positive perspective of your abundant sensibility, humility, and kind heartedness. Even in your death, we that know you are still enormously proud of you. You left your mark vividly to God’s glory and your legacy will shine forever. For your devastated loving parents, Da Margi and De Okey, I still lack words to express my feelings to them.  To them, I am only offering my prayers. My family and I will continue to pray for your darling little boy, your wife, and for the entire Aguwa family for God’s protection and fortitude to bear your unavoidable absence and the huge void.  Goodbye, my friend.  Goodbye, worthy Mbaise son, until we meet again.  Joachim “Jack” Nwogu

Deem Okey and family, you  all are in our prayers and thoughts.
Our condolences pls , ndo nu !

To write words that I must but had never expected to!
 
De Okey, Da Maggie, ‘Dede’ Ikenna, Okenwa, and Okezie were my surrogate family when I arrived in America over 31 years ago at 17 years old.  I remember asking the boys their names and teaching them the word ‘Dede’ while living with them for my first 4 months in America.  Okezie practiced at 3 years old for weeks until he got it!  "Yes, DeKelechi, I can and I will"  was His standard response to me!

I remember Okezie, the energetic teenager, accomplished young man, excited groom, loving husband, proud father, and role model to my children!  Only God knows why He called You home so soon!

Chief (Mrs.) Angelina Oparaji, the rest of the Oparaji and the Osuagwu Family mourn with De Okey, Da Maggie, Leeann, and the rest of the Aguwa Family on this untimely death of our cousin Dr. Okezie Kemjika Aguwa!

May Your Soul Rest In Peace with God!

Dear Aguwa Family,
There is no word to express our sorrow to hear about the loss of Okezie. Please know that we are thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort. Okezie, you made an incredible impact in many people’s lives. 
Okezie, your physical body may have departed, but your legacy and footprints left by, shall always live on and your light shines on through your son’s life. May the soul of Okezie Rest in Perpetual Peace! 
Dr. Patrick & Mrs. Nonye Anyanetu & Children


Rose Amanze and children express our love and prayers to the Aguwa family, on the untimely death of our young Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Okezie Kemjika Aguwa. Words feel inadequate to express the sadness that we feel. May Jesus,the Good Sheperd, comfort you in your sorrow and guide Dr. Okezie Kemjika Aguwa into eternal glory!!

I never met Okezie but his Aunt - Alaezi Dike is my good friend! She contacted me immediately when she was in Michigan to see her older sister - Margaret Aguwa as soon as Okezie passed to the great beyond!
It was shocking to hear this but like I told Alaezi “God knows why this has happened”! As a mother myself I know it’s not easy on any mom to be in this situation! 
We give The Lord Almighty all the Glory forever for what Okezie achieved in such a short time of his life on earth!
“To live in the hearts 💕 of those you love is not to die”!

Dr Ifeyinwa Obuekwe
Edmonton AB Canada 🇨🇦 

De Corny and Family- Please take heart and be consoled. Your son made an impact during his short life. He made your family proud. For all these and other gifts, we thank God for his time in this earth.

Okezie and I were really good friends when we were really young. When we were in first grade, I brought my WWF championship belt in for show and tell. He brought his in the next week, and our plan was to wrestle our teacher at the end of the year. We never got to wrestle Mr. Bonter, but I’m confident that we would’ve won.

Okezie was a wonderful person, and I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My deepest sympathies and thoughts are with his family and closest friends.

Dear Dr. Margaret Aguwa and family, 

I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your son Okezie. I know he was a very special person from the stories you've shared. Thinking of you and family during this tragic time.

I first met Okezie at an impromptu family pizza lunch in Durand. I liked him immediately. He was engaging, funny,  honest, and open. I kept thinking of how perfect he was for Leeann.  Even more notably-he impressed our grandfather. So much, in fact, that later that afternoon, our grandfather talked  about some of Okezie’s achievements to a friend he ran into in town. 

At Leeann’s and Okezie’s wedding, I took several pictures but my favorite one was of them dancing as a newlywed couple. Their unconditional love for one another was palpable-even in photographs. 

Okezie was also a testament of his upbringing-family first.

When our grandfather passed away, for instance, Okezie’s mom, Margaret, came to his wake. She didn’t know our family well but there she was, paying her respects. This speaks volumes of Okezie and of his family. Once you became family, you were family for life.

One of my favorite Shakespeare quotes is, 
“When he shall die, take him and cut him into little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine, that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun.” 

My hope is that when Leeann, their little boy, and Okezie’s family looks up at the night sky, they catch a glimpse of Okezie’s brilliant light sshining down upon them. 





While I haven’t been close to Okezie for many years, I have very clear memories of our time growing up in Okemos playing football.  I remember he was always passionate, pushing others to be their best.  This vivid memory is such a strong testament to his character and the great person he was.

My condolences, thoughts, and love go out to his family and friends who are going through this terrible loss.

Margaret ... my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  I am so sorry.  Take care ... 

So sad to hear the sudden death of this young man.  Though I did not know him personally, I heard  great things about him that made me proud.  
To the family, take solace in the comfort of God who knows best.  May his sweet soul rest peacefully with the lord.

Regardless of the number of years that go by there’s some guys you don’t forget about having to play against on the football field. He’s one of them.  RIP
With love & respect,
Alex Shattuck (Mason Football)

Dear Dr Okey Aguwa and family. 
Do accept my condolences on the sad and irreparable loss of your son okezie. May God grant his soul rest in His bosom and give you all the fortitude to bear this very sad loss

De Okey and Da Maggie, 
There are no words to express our deep sorrow but we hold fast to the promise of resurrection promised to us all.
May Okezie rest in perfect peace and you be comforted . 

Adanma, Ugo, Chi-Chi and Kelechi

LeeAnn, Kemjika, ‘Dede’ Ikenna, Okenwa, Chief Okey, and ‘Daa m Adamazi’ Dr. Mrs. Aguwa:
‘Ndo nu! Ihe ukwu mere anyi’.  It’s unbelievable that Okezie (azu ngwele, a kwo nwa), is gone.
-He and his brothers were the first to hold our kids in the hospital right after birth.
-Okezie, your last text message to me December 13, 2019, at 6:39 pm was ‘ Awesome thank you, Thank you!’, after you received a text from me, with your sons passport data page, signaling that I’d received his passport in the mail from the consulate.
-Rest well our dear. You were a very proud and disciplined Aguwa.  
-LeeAnn and Kemjika and the rest of the family will keep your memory alive though you already carved your niche on earth. We will join the family in heralding your arrival into Gods Kingdom. Rest easy, for we love and miss you.

May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace with the Lord. My prayers to the family.

Sad to lose you at such a young age, rest peacefully in the arm of the lord.


So sad your exit came prematurely, 
but God knows best, May your gentle soul Rest In the bosom of our almighty.
Amen 🙏🏾

Dear Okey  & Margaret:

Please accept our deepest condolences on this indescribable loss of your son.  Our prayers are with you, his brothers and young family during this time.

May his gentle soul rest in peace and God be your strenght. 

Raphael & Brigid Chieke
Harrisburg, PA

Okezie,

We were never really close, but with certain people with particularly brilliant souls, you don't need to be to tell what they're made of. Got some great memories playing football together. You were a lion of a man on and off the field, and you will be remembered well by many.

Rest in peace, my friend

Okezie, you made all-in-the-family proud including friends, relatives and all. You were a shining light to all who had the chance to know and behold you. The Almighty God gave us you, Dr Okezie to care for the sick, the afflicted and the broken-hearted. We thank you and we thank God for you. As you head to Heaven's portal, the Angels are waiting to usher you to the Lord.  You will be looking down from there to comfort those 
you are leaving behind, Mom & Dad, Wife & Daughter and all. We reserve the goodbye until we meet again. 
Prof Phyl & Adaeze Amadi 
Whisper Mt, Mesa Arizona USA.

I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Dr. Aguwa when he came to McLaren Flint.  As the coordinator in the O.R. for Neuro and Ortho, we interacted closely when he first arrived.  He was wonderful to work with.  Easy going, but confident.  Dr. Aguwa was not only a skillful surgeon,  he was fun to work with.   We could tell he really cared about his patients.  He spoke often of his wife and son, and you could tell he was a real family man.  He got great joy from family time.  He will be missed.

Your demise is a big loss to the entire  Igbo community and to the world.  Only God Almighty will mend the broken hearts caused by this painful ext.  May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.  

God has now a Precious and Loving Friend, the One we have Lost, Your Company will even regale angels of death and Make them Smile.

To live in the hearts of those you love is not to die.  Your exit is a very painful one.  I pray that the Good Lord will bring consolation to your loving parents, wife, son, siblings and all those who knew you.  My first memories of you was as a little boy visiting Nigeria.  You accomplished so much in your short life but God wanted you as an Angel in Heaven. Rest In Perfect Peace.

I am so deeply sorry to hear of your loss. Much love to you all.


Andrea King Collier

Dr Margaret Aguwa and family, 
I am so very sorry for your terrible loss. My heart goes out to you.

Our hearts are heavy, stricken with grief and the tears  will not stop flowing.  Koke my nephew was a gift to his parents , brothers , wife , son , uncles and aunties and all of us.  Our lives  have been enriched by having shared his love.     

I celebrate him as I believe his early exit is not in vain.  He was a jolly good son , father, brother, husband, cousin and nephew to many.  He lived life to the fullest. He made sacrifices for others to have a better tomorrow, particularly his patients .                                                                              Agu Papa ya, Nwokoma and hand bag Mama  ya, is loved by all .  His life leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We take consolation in the fact that  he is in a better place . He may be physically gone but his presence is still with us. He will never be forgotten. He will be solely missed. Rest in the arm of your savior.     

                     Aunty Alaezi Darling Dike

OBITUARY

Dr. Okezie Kemjika Aguwa

4 March, 1985 – 19 May, 2020

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services