Frederick S. Nkemdi

To God be the Glory, and Glory be to God. Amen. Truly the Glory given always will be and is with Frederick Sunday Nkeonye Nkemdi. In his own words, he would say “ God bless us all and bless all those that have prayed, wished well for me and my family, and who celebrate my life.” He started every speech and talk with that ask. And oh how he was blessed, he lived a long and vibrant life. …a good honest life. He meant well always, had a supportive and beautiful wife Inez, four brilliant children ( Priscilla , Ifeoma, Nkeonye and Fred Jr.) and three incredibly gifted, talented grandchildren ( Shiloh Tumo, Lauren, and Kevin the III). An excellent life!

Fred prospered, persevered and taught his children and his grandchildren the art of will power, reverence, risk taking , courage and bravery in going after all of their ambitions, aspirations and desires by example and bearing witness to his life. He walked the walk, and talked that talk authentically. He was serious about that - Go Out and Get It Life, even if you have to travel far and set your sails wide, you do what you need to do to accomplish your dreams. He taught fearlessness, and the “ who can stop you” attitude, feverently. "None but yourself." What else would you expect from a Benin man that left his homeland of Issele- Uku Aniocha L.G.A. of Bendel State, Nigeria to travel abroad to London and then America, at the tender age of 17. Ah ah, oh My God! How completely audacious and brave! Celebrate him, oh.

For him, there were no excuses and his method was direct, just get it done. Those that knew him, strongly understood him and experienced him as an incredibly principled man. A man that was definitely of his words. His words were bond and so was his omnipotent and indelible presence. There are so many testimonies to this. He never left us, his children, his wife, his purpose. Not many men can truly say that. For what is it to be the highest standard of a man, a king? This secret he taught us, was in the never leaving part, sticking by your words through your actions, and seeing what you create, through to the end. Never give up, no matter what. He did not have an ego when it came to the protection and care of his family. He always did what was necessary, no matter if he had to work multiple jobs, endless hours, or take jobs he truly didn't desire. He would always humble himself.

He cared not what other families and people would do. He cared that we were safe and protected. He did not care about popularity and assimilating into society's constructs, he cared about our educational aspirations and individual capabilities of being able to secure for our own selves, the life we wanted. We didn't understand why, as we were growing up, but looking back it is profoundly understood. It really was for our own good in the end. He was never a follower - he led. He never veered off the path he decided upon. He would never willingly leave us. He fought hard like a King, strong and held on (literally) till his last breath. So this was something he most definitely had no control of, especially not on his watch.

Frederick was born August 9, 1941 on a beautiful Sunday in the village of Issele-Uku in Nigeria. Fred was a loyal Catholic and grew up with his wonderful late mother (Madam Celina Chiadika nee Ashiedu Nkemdi) and his father (Momeku Joseph Nkemdi) who preceded him in death. His brothers and sisters, the late Ebo Nkemdi, Mrs. B.C Ikenweiwe, Mrs. Vero Chukwuwniwe Anthony, and the surviving Mr. Julius Nkemdi. He was a curious and a well read young man. He was a brilliant scholar and took his studies seriously. His teachers took note of his capabilities, and through his disciplined studies, he was able to fulfill his goals of attending University abroad in America, at a time when it was highly unlikely for people in his country to do so. He wanted to study Business Administration and Accounting.

Fred attended and graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Administration, from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. He aspired to go further in his studies and did just that. He received a M.A. degree from Central Michigan University. He moved his wife and children back to Nigeria in the mid 1970’s determined to build businesses in his homeland and emesh his children in the rich culture and rigorous educational experiences he knew would leave an important mark in their futures. He fulfilled his goals and soon was CEO of several businesses there. His hard work, diligence, dedication to research and leadership definitely rubbed off on his children and grandchildren.

He lived life fully, he enjoyed swimming, playing tennis, football, soccer, and was an avid traveler internationally and locally. He was a great conversationalist, analyst of political and economic trajectories, and the most engaging storyteller. He taught, particularly his grandchildren, about Igbo culture and Nigerian history through his stories. He was a master teacher in connecting the missing pieces to us all. He was the missing bridge for us between American blacks and their true lineage back to Africa, and for that we thank him. Fred loved to dance and dance fevertlently to all his faves like Sunny Ade and his childhood friend Fela Kuti. Their music always played loudly in our household, amongst others. He danced to the very end. Often smiling and clapping his hands to the beat joyfully.

He was a member of Mater Christi Church in his home area North Riverside, Illinois and helped to found several organizations such as The Association Anioma Issele-uku of Nigeria for descendants of the Igbo tribe here in North America.

He will be celebrated infinitely by those who loved him dearly, his beloved amazing wife, Madam Inez Nkemdi, his four children - brilliant son Frederick Jr, his beautiful daughters Priscilla, Ifeoma and Nkeonye. He will be remembered fondly and his legacy will continue through his handsome and brilliant grandsons Shiloh Tumo and Kevin III, and his beautiful and brilliant granddaughter Lauren, in perpetuity. He will be fondly and lovingly remembered by his many family, friends, associates and those who were blessed to have known or been in his presence in this lifetime.

You did everything just as you should, above all you showed us particularly in the end, the importance of what humanity and living life out in dignity to your very last moments means. The depth of humility and importance of compassion. Well done, Master Fred Sunday Nkeonye Nkemdi, rest well and save a dance for us all.

A memorial service will be held for Frederick on August 20, 2022 at 10 am at Mater Christi Church,

2401 South 10th Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois​ 60546 with a celebration of life to follow at the Nkemdi home.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnchicago.com for the Nkemdi family.