Raphael Eziafaka Onyemelukwe

Dr. Raphael Eziafaka Ifeanyi Onyemelukwe, 84, of Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria, passed away on January 26th, 2021 in Abilene, Texas U.S.A.

Time for visiting will be Saturday, February 13 from 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, with a small private funeral service following at 2 pm, with Pastor Mike Harkrider of Wylie Baptist Church officiating, assisted by Pastor Mike Hill of Beltway Park Church, and music by Pastor Rick Grant of Wylie Baptist Church. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

The funeral service will be livestreamed on The Hamil Family Funeral Home Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/TheHamilFamily

When it is safe to do so, there will be a celebration of his esteemed life in Nigeria where he will be laid to rest.

Dr. Raphael E.I. Onyemelukwe was born on January 14th, 1937 in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria to James Udoji Onyemelukwe and Eunice Onuekenwa Onyemelukwe. In 1958, he graduated from Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), before coming to the United States to pursue his studies. In 1963, he completed his undergraduate degree at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. He then graduated from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in 1967. He completed his residency in general surgery at the following institutions in Chicago IL: John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County (1967 – 1970); McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University (1970 – 1972); VA Medical Center (1972 – 1973); Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (1973 – 1975).

He returned to Nigeria in 1977 and rose to the position of Chief Consultant Traumatologist at Orthopedic Hospital in Enugu, Anambra State. He later went to private practice in Enugu before founding James Udoji Memorial Medical Center in Nnewi, where he was the foremost trauma specialist in the region. In 1993, he returned to U.S.A, where he worked in the Chicago area before moving to Abilene Texas where he retired.

Dr. R.E.I Onyemelukwe was preceded in death by his beloved siblings Mr. Godwin Onyemelukwe, Mrs. Dora Aranotu, Prof. Josiah Onyemelukwe, and Dr. James Onyemelukwe.

Dr. R.E.I Onyemelukwe is survived by his beloved wife Mrs. Ifeyinwa Onyemelukwe, with whom he shared his beloved children Samuel (Sammy) Onyemelukwe, Precious Onyemelukwe, Daniel Onyemelukwe, and Emmanuel (Emma) Onyemelukwe.

Also survived by his ex-wife Mrs. Ijeoma Onyemelukwe, with whom he shared his children, Ikem Onyemelukwe, Njideka Ezeoke, Chidozie Onyemelukwe, Uchenna Onyemelukwe, and Amuche Clermont.

His beloved sisters, Mrs. Mercy Odunukwe, and Mrs. Ifeoma Okeke.

His grandchildren, Kenechukwu (Kenny) Ezeoke, Amara Ezeoke, Kosisochi (Kosi) Clermont, Chizara (Zara) Clermont, and Chibueze (Ezeh) Clermont.

Memorial Website: www.forevermissed.com/dr-raphael-ei-onyemelukwe/

The Onyemelukwe family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to our neighbors, Beltway Park Church, Wylie Baptist Church, The Hamil Family Funeral Home, Dr. and Mrs. C.J. Odunukwe and Mr. Azuka Onyemelukwe.

If you wish to pay a financial tribute for Raphael, please do so via Zelle Account: Onyemelukwec@aol.com

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