Vincent Onyematara Ogonor

Vincent Onyematara Ogonor, age 68, of Lithia Springs, Georgia, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2023. He was born December 19, 1954, in Odiemudie in Ahoada East local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria. A jovial soul, Vincent was vibrant, full of life, and believed in having fun. He stood for what he believed and was an excellent discerner of people, making keen observations about their personalities. Vincent loved his people. He loved making a difference in people’s lives and he never missed an opportunity to give one a helping hand. Through him, many followed in his footsteps and were able to go to school and travel out. He helped both relatives and outsiders the best he could to move ahead with their education.

He loved sports of all categories—basketball, football, soccer, and baseball. Vincent enjoyed singing and loved many genres of music including gospel, motown, reggae, R & B, and was even known to make up his own songs! He was an avid fisherman as a child. He was a trailblazer for his community in Nigeria. Vincent was a member of Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.

Before the Nigerian civil war, he finished his primary education. Vincent was invited for an interview to join secondary school. During the interview he was asked about his sponsor. He explained that he was without one because his father could not afford to pay his school fees, so his spot was given to someone else. But God had already designed a path for Vincent. After the war, those who had already completed primary school had to go back for one year. Through this process, he was able to obtain a government paid scholarship to attend his secondary school, and it doesn’t stop there. Due to his excellent performance, he received admission to attend university in the US with a merit scholarship from the government. He never stopped learning and went on to the University of Wisconsin to begin undergraduate study, received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kentucky, and later completed a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Ohio University in 1982. Later in life he received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at Southern Polytechnic University, known today as Kennesaw State University, and post retirement he completed a second Master of Science in Software Engineering from Kennesaw State University in 2019.

His work ethic mirrored his love of education. After receiving his bachelor's in Chemical Engineering, he worked as a surveillance engineer for several years. After his master's degree, he returned to Nigeria to complete his one year national service by working as a math teacher at his alma mater, COHISA. After returning to the US and completing his second bachelor's in Computer Science, Vincent worked as a quality assurance engineer for over 13 years. He later retired to Nigeria, volunteering his services at Brystar Comprehensive Institute, a school founded by his wife. He returned to the United States in 2016.

Preceding him in death were his father, Obediah Onyenekwe Ogonor; and siblings, Chibuliuma Ogonor and Uwandu Ogonor.

Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of forty four years, Fyne Chimezie Ogonor; his loving mother, Victoria Ekemube Ogonor; his children, Valerie Ogonor, Ronald Ogonor, Bryan Ogonor, Jessica Ogonor, and Stephanie (Jacob) Schloss; siblings, Adunwo Ogonor, Hannah Edema, Jared Ogonor, Joseph Ogonor, Augustine Ogonor, Godspower Ogonor, Florence Ogonor, Uwuma Ogonor, Rufus Ogonor, Chiosom Ogonor and Azubuike Ogonor; granddaughter, Kathleen Ogonor; nephew, Noble (Shelia) Kakoro; niece, Renae (Uko) Ibanga; great nieces and nephew Adriauna Kakoro, Joshua Ibanga, and Edidiong Ibanga; and several other nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends at Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home on Sunday, April 30, 2023 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Following the visitation, the Celebration of Life will begin at Room6Twelve Event Center, 2177 Fairburn Road, Douglasville, GA 30135.

Thoughts and condolences to the family may be shared online at www.whitleygarner.com

Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the services of Vincent Onyematara Ogonor.