Obituary for Ifeanyi Okpalobi Dr. Ifeanyi Charles Anthony Okpalobi, 76 years old, affectionately known as “DOC”, departed this life on November 15, 2018. He was born November 1, 1942, the youngest of twelve children of Mr. Egbonsor Okpalobi and Ozubu Odiadi, in Achalla Ibusu Nigeria. He leaves to mourn, his loving wife of 18 years, Rose Obiagheli Okpalobi; three sons: Uche Okpalobi, Dr. Emeka Okpalobi, Ifeanyi Okpalobi Jr.; Three Step sons: Uchena Tabugbo, Stanley Tabugbo, Justin Tabugbo; Eight Grandchildren: Britton, Michaela, Sahara, Blaire, Hannah, Daisy, Avina and Mason: one Great Granddaughter: Rylynn; A daughter in law, Kristyn Okpalobi, His Nephews who were more like his brothers, Chuka Okpalobi, Sonny Okpalobi, Steve Okpalobi, Andy Okpalobi and Mike Nwakobia, His nieces, Isioma Iwuorah, Anwhili Monye, Felicia(last name), Uwaoma, Franka Nwosu, Anthonia Azubogu, Awhili (Last Name)as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Dr. Okpalobi was preceded in death by his parents Egbonsor Okpalobi and Ozubu Odiadi, and his siblings, Chief Sylvester Adigwe Okpalobi, William Okpalobi, and sister Igbogantiokwu Okpalobi Kanikwu. Dr. Ifeanyi Charles Anthony Okpalobi was born in Achalla, Ibusa, Nigeria on November 1, 1942. The last child of a well renowned trader and an accomplished farmer, his parents were well respected members of the Achalla Ibusa Community.
In the Mid-1940s to Early 1950s, Dr. Okpalobi attended St. Bridget’s Primary School Enugu. After which he pursued his secondary education in the Mid-1950s at Government College Owerri, on full academic scholarship, where he was predominantly a science student. After his Secondary education, Dr. Okpalobi started his career as Science Teacher in Lagos, teaching Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
A man of high intellectual ability and unquenchable appetite for learning, he obtained a scholarship to study Industrial Chemistry in Cairo Egypt in the Late 1950s. While in Egypt, he developed a love for the medical sciences and changed his major to Medicine. Dr. Okpalobi obtained his medical degree in the Mid-1960s at Cairo Medical School just as the Nigerian Civil War started in 1967.
Unable to return home due to the Civil War, he proceeded to Copenhagen, Denmark to further advance his medical degree and career between 1967 and 1971. In January 1972, he left Denmark for New York City, USA, to start his Medical Residency at New York City Health and Hospital Corporation, a reputable medical and teaching hospital affiliated with College of Physicians and Surgeons at Harlem Hospital Center. He completed his Surgical Residency in June 1973.
Upon completion of his Residency, Dr. Okpalobi obtained his Medical License in November 1974 issued by the State of Tennessee. From July 1974 to June 1977, he pursued his Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Thereafter, Dr. Okpalobi practiced medicine at many reputable Hospitals in Tennessee and Ohio until moving to New Orleans in the Late 1970s to start his private medical practice.
In New Orleans, Dr. Okpalobi became a Board Certified Obstetrics and Gynecologist in November 1982 and established the Gentilly Medical Center for Women and St. Claude Medical Clinic. A hardworker with passion for excellence, he was affiliated with various Hospitals in New Orleans including Lakeland Hospital. An entrepreneur at heart with a passion to create opportunities for others, he established many businesses in New Orleans.
To mention a few; Anioma Home Health Care, Inc., A home health care agency that catered for the sick and homebound, Anioma Living, Inc., an independent living facility that provided a safe home for the most vulnerable in the community, African Chambers of Commerce, Inc., a business gateway between business groups, institutions, governments, organizations, companies and communities in the United States , Africa, Asia and other countries of the world with active interest in commerce in the emerging markets in Africa, Crescent City International Inc., and Rivers Trading Company; international trade organizations conducting import and export trade between United States and other parts of the world. Throughout his business career, Dr Okpalobi directly and indirectly created thousands of jobs in the New Orleans Community and also in Nigeria. Dr. Okpalobi served as a member of the Board of Directors of the New Orleans world Trade Center and New Orleans Global Tour to Hong Kong.
He helped and assisted in facilitating New Orleans and other U.S. Cities in driving development of African Oil Industries by directing oil-producing States in the United States to become a storehouse of oil producing equipment and personnel in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Furthermore, Dr. Okpalobi assisted in trade and investment activities between Southern University, Baton Rouge and Louisiana State University with the Agricultural Farm Project of the Late. Chief Moshood Abiola’s, Abiola Farms.
He assisted in hosting several interactive meetings between many African ambassadors, members of diplomatic corps, political leaders and investors in the State of Louisiana. Undoubtable a man with many educational and career accomplishments, Dr. Okpalobi will mostly be remembered and missed for his generosity, his love for family, his outreach and philanthropy in the his new country, the United States of America, his new hometown, the City of New Orleans, his Country of Origin, Nigeria, his birth hometown, Achalla, Ibusa, Delta State Nigeria. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend A Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, International Shrine of St. Jude, 411 North Rampart Street on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 12:00 pm.
Visitation will begin at 9:00 am. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 11:30 am. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave.
Please visit www. rhodesfuneral.com to sign the guestbook. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ifeanyi Okpalobi please visit our Sympathy Store.
Cemetery Details Private LA, , Previous Events Visitation DEC 8. 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church St. Jude Shrine 411 N. Rampart St. New Orleans, LA, US, 70112 Service DEC 8.
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