PETER OKEKE

Peter Chukwukpe Okeke–beloved husband, father, and uncle–died in his home in Houston, Texas on Sunday, March 27th, 2022. He was 72 years old.

Peter was born in Zaria, Nigeria to parents Joseph Ejikeme Okeke and Victoria Okeke on October 9th, 1949. The youngest of eight, Peter spent his childhood in Eastern Nigeria where he attended Government Secondary School Afikpo until a civil war broke out in Nigeria in 1967.

At the young age of 17, Peter joined the Biafran army and fought for the liberation of the Igbo people. After the war, Peter ventured
abroad to England and then later to Canada where he completed high school at Hearst and attended McGill University in Montreal. He later graduated from Carlton University in Ottawa with a degree in civil engineering.

In the summer of 1987, he married Chinelo Amu-Nnadi, a long-time family friend who was raised by his older sister. Together they had three beautiful children–two girls and a boy, the latter of whom unfortunately passed away in infancy. After immigrating to the United States in 1994, Peter successfully started his own business, Penaco Engineering and Construction, and completed many municipal projects for the city of Houston, including parks, playgrounds, and public housing. He later contributed to reconstruction efforts in the city of New Orleans following the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Peter retired in 2019 and thereafter spent his time campaigning for various U.S. Democratic candidates and passionately advocating for the Igbo
people and their referendum to establish the independent state of Biafra. Peter was known by his friends and family for his affectionate and playful disposition, endearing nicknames, and, most importantly, for the strength of his convictions and his love for God, his family, and his people. He was full of life and a vibrant, infectious energy that will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Chinelo Okeke, his two daughters, Eng. Nnena Okeke and Dr. Ndidi Okeke, and his siblings, Dr. Joseph Okeke, Helen Obasi, Uju Obi, and Edward Okeke.

A memorial service for Peter will be held at Champion Forest Baptist Church located at 15555 Stuebner Airline Rd, Houston, TX 77069 on April 29th, 2022. A viewing will be held from 11:00 am to 1:00pm with the service at 1:00pm, reception to follow.

A livestream of the event can be found here
https://www.championforest.org/specialevent/ , password is CFBC.