Prince Michael Ugonna Obodo

Prince Michael Ugonna Obodo, 24, of Houston, died Sunday, January 21, 2024.

Michael was one of those people that you cannot help but notice when they enter a room – loving, brilliant, and determined. Michael was born in Juliet, Illinois, and from day one, was a very loving child. He attended elementary and middle school in Brentwood, California. From then on, he absolutely loved California. After middle school, much to Michael’s dismay, we moved to Beaumont where he attended Kelly High in Beaumont (he was a member of the Kelly High Basketball team). After high school he decided to attend Prairie View A&M University and pursued a career in real estate.

One memory that will always stick with me is his dramatic departure from his high school graduation. Immediately after the ceremony, we – his entire family – were waiting for him and the rest of school mates. We were eager take pictures and then head to the party we had planned for him. But, we couldn’t find Michael anywhere. The entire family was looking for him, asking anyone around if they had seen him. No one seemed to know where he was. Finally, someone said “I think Michael went to airport…” I nearly pee’d on myself right then and there. It turns out, immediately after the graduation ceremony, Michael went to the airport, got on a flight, and headed straight to California. Michael was determined to celebrate his graduation with his middle school friends from California (who are graduating from high school the following day). Michael was determined and, no matter what, he went for what he wanted.

There is another moment from high school that speaks to this determination. It also speaks to how he seemed determined to make me pee on myself throughout his adolescence/childhood. I remember going to work one day and receiving a call from his school  that they had not seen Michael all day. Again, I am calling all overlooking for him. I am wondering if he overslept and desperate to find out where he was. We searched everywhere and no luck. As I’m panicking, pacing back and forth, he suddenly appears. And, very calmly he said, “I just didn’t feel like going to school today.” In response, I told him that Kelly High School loves him, his friends love him, his family loves him, and that is why we were looking for him.

Michael was fiercely independent, focused, and was also deeply loving. He loved his friends. He loved his brothers and sister. He loved his family. And, we loved. We loved him more than words can ever, ever convey. – Ike Obodo

Michael Ugonna Obodo was my little brother, and I was in charge of keeping him safe and out of trouble. I had to make sure that he followed the rules and was strong enough to solve any of his problems. I was so proud when figured out his own path in the world and was happy to see him thrive anywhere he went. He asked me once how do to deal with people telling you how to live your life, and I told him to ignore anyone who doesn’t think your way of being happy is the right one. Anywhere he went and anything he did he was happy knowing he did it himself. We fought over petty things like brothers do, but I told him anything if he needed help all he had to do was ask. He was smart enough to know he could find ways nobody else thought of doing it. He had a vision of what his life was going to be and was never going to let anyone stop him. He was smart enough to solve his own problems, he was brave enough to do new things and he was stubborn enough to not let anyone stop him from being the best he could be. He loved his family and never let them forget it. – Clifford Obodo

Ugonna’s parents loved him dearly and made many sacrifices for him and his siblings doing all they could to give them a loving and secure childhood. This allowed Ugonna to show his brilliance, cultivate his coolness, and walk through life with confidence and independence. He was intent on getting rich and didn’t let anything distract him from that. He loved California and was quite disheartened by having to move to Texas when started high school. After moving to Houston a few years ago, Texas grew on him. He forged lasting friendships wherever he went. Ugonna lived his short life on his terms and was a happy person. He was showing signs of growth and maturity, and we were all looking forward to the man he would become. Unfortunately, God called him home too soon. – Dr. Veronica Obodo-Eckblad

My son, Michael is a very funny, beautiful and kind person anyone  will wish to have around at all time. I am so blessed to have you as a son, my baby. I still remember the day you were born, in a cold winter in Joliet Illinois your smile as infant was very contagious and loving. Michael was ambitious, very intelligent and kind. Business minded, I still remembered you charging your brothers interest for lending them money. Michael went to elementary school and middle school in California made several friends. Loved by so many people, friends and family. I love son. May your soul rest in peace. – Christine Obodo

Ugonna was my big brother. He was extremely headstrong and confident when it came to anything he wanted to do. He was able to make friends wherever he went and was just somebody everyone wanted to be around. When we were younger, I would follow him around wherever he went and do whatever he did. And even if got annoyed with me trailing him, he would still always take time to spend with me. He was completely fearless. If he set his mind on a goal, he was willing to do anything it took to get there. Ugonna was always ready to support me in whatever I wanted to do. You could call him at any time, and he would answer Michael wouldn’t hesitate to help any one of us if we needed him. One thing we could never doubt was how much he loved all of us. He was a great big brother and I know if we did not lose him so soon, he would have gone on to be an amazing person. – Christine Obodo

Michael was a person with a strong sense of loyalty and justice. Like all of us, at some times, he got carried away. When he moved from California to Texas, he felt that it was unjust that he had to leave the state and his friends. Did I mention that Michael could also carry a grudge? Michael kept his sights on California and his loyalty to his friend that he had made while ignoring the new place and the people that he was living with.

One Christmas, he decided to spend the holidays in California with his friends. It did not go as he had expected. He spent a few days at one of his friend’s houses, and after a few days, the friend’s father, who had not been consulted, said Michael had to leave. So, Michael took refuge with a friendly neighbor who lived across the street from his family’s old house.

His dad called and told us that Michael was in California and asked if we could pick him up and have him at our place for Christmas. We gathered him and his stuff and brought him to our house. Most kids wouldn’t have had the nerve to do what Michael did, but he created an opportunity to learn from this experience. We allowed him to reflect on his plan and how it went. He realized that while his friend may have been pleased to have him for the holiday, that does not mean their friend’s parents would also extend the same welcome. He realized he probably should have told us he was coming into town and planned a visit with us. He also acknowledged that his fierce loyalty to his friends in California was getting in the way of him meeting new friends in Beaumont. He realized it would make sense to give himself a chance to get to know the new people he was meeting, and in doing so, he may make some new friends. – Todd Eckblad

In the end, Michael used this fiscal of a visit to learn some crucial lessons. Michael could make bold moves and mistakes, and he was also able to learn from his experiences.

He is survived by his parents, Rose and Ike Obodo of Beaumont; brothers, Clifford Obodo of Beaumont and Isaac Obodo of Dallas; sister, Christine Obodo of Beaumont; aunt, Dr. Veronica Obodo-Eckblad and her husband, Todd, of Silver Springs, Maryland; grandfather, Dr. Felix Obodo of New Jersey; grandmother, Louisa Ajagwu of Beaumont; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.

A gathering of Michael’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2024, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A second Rosary will be recited at 9:15 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 10, 2024, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont. His interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.