Tribute As Clifford Opara Goes Home December 28, 2023

By Sunny Opara

As we commemorate the life of Clifford Chukwuemeka Opara and as I put these pieces together, words seem painfully insufficient. How can mere words summarise a life so vibrant, a spirit so indomitable, a heart full of empathy, and a personality so magnetic?
It is not always easy to say goodbye to a loved one, especially when the departed is so close to you. For it is written that there is time for everything. Time to be born, time to grow up, and time to die. However, we pray that we age gracefully, expecting our children to honour us with a befitting burial when we finally bid farewell to this world.
The remains of the Late Clifford Opara will be interred on December 28, 2023, in Egbu Owerri

Indeed, when writing a tribute for loved ones, many don’t dare to speak the truth about the lives and times of the deceased. Here, we are talking about our brother Cliff, despite the vicissitudes of life, was one of the best humans you want to be around.

Life was not always easy for Cliff; he faced numerous setbacks, both personal and professional. But like a phoenix rising from the ashes, he emerged from every trial stronger, braver, and more determined. He always referred to himself as a “survivor.”

On July 6th, 2023, we received a disturbing phone call that Cliff had a massive cardiac arrest and was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Long Beach Memorial Hospital.

The unexplained circumstances surrounding his ill health were that Cliff drove himself to the hospital. But for some reason or reasons, he collapsed before he could make it inside the emergency room. Our brother fought hard to stay alive and the family prayed for God’s intervention. Sadly, on July 13th, 2023, surrounded by his family, the Lord called him to rest in his kingdom.

Until his passing, Cliff could best be described as a brother, friend, and confidant. His sense of humour  was another facet of his personality that left an indelible mark on us. Ford had an uncanny ability to find humour in the mundane, to extract joy from the seemingly trivial aspects of life. Whether it was his quick-witted one-liners or elaborate funny jokes, he had the gift of spreading laughter like wildfire.
In a world that often felt overwhelmingly serious, he was our comic relief. Cliff was known for his daily social media posts to friends and family members.
He was very active on the forum of the 1978 set of Egbu Community Comprehensive Secondary School, and they often refer to him as the “king of emoji”.
Cliff was so proud of the house he was building at the Federal Road Safety junction, that he would send pictures of every phase of the structure to almost everyone on his contact.
The house gave him a sense of accomplishment and he was looking forward to completing his house and moving in by December 2024.
Cliff last visited home in December 2023.
In his philanthropic manner, he came back with a luggage full of items that he happily gave away to friends. He was known as a giver willing to give you the shirt on his back. Most times Cliff would return to the United States with only his carry-on bag because he had given away his clothes including the luggage.
As we mourn his untimely departure, let us honor his memory by living out the wisdom he so generously shared. Let us love a little harder, laugh a little louder, and live a little better, just as he would have wanted us to.
Our brother Cliff was born in Enugu on the 14th day of May 1960, to the late Chikwem Oba Alajemba Opara and Ezinne Dorothy Chikwem-Opara. He attended Egbu Community Secondary School and later Government Technical School (GTC), Owerri.
In December of 1982, he came to the United States to further his education and attended Tyler College, Texas from 1983 to 1987, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology.  Cliff is survived by three daughters, Alicia, Jessica, and Chantel, and seven grandchildren, four siblings, Sunny, Ernie Jembas, Ekene, and Chidiebere Adaoba, and several nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Clifford, you wore your heart on your sleeve, unafraid of vulnerability and unafraid of judgment.
While your physical presence is irreproachably lost, your spirit remains, forever etched in our hearts. As we navigate the labyrinth of life, we will always treasure your memory and time spent with you as our brother.
We pray to God to keep us together and unite those our parents and Clifford left behind even as it is very painful to say goodbye.
Rest in peace, our dearest brother CLIFFORD CHUKWUEMEKA OPARA. Your legacy will live on through the love you left behind, and the lives you touched will forever be a testament to the incredible man you were.
In this time of grief, we would like to extend our gratitude to each person who has supported our family. Your love and presence are invaluable.

Sunny Opara pays Tribute to His Late Brother