Dr. Samuel Onyejindu Oleka, 66, husband of Amaka Rhoda Oleka, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.
He was born in Isuikwuato, Nigeria, to the late Joseph Oleka and Jenny Mbaeri Oleka on June 6, 1949. He was a member of Memorial Baptist Church.
Dr. Oleka was an ECWA trained and licensed pastor. He received bachelor degree in Theology from Igbaja Theological Seminary and was the main speaker during our maiden ECWA USA National Conference in Maryland in 1999. His wife, Amaka, served previously as the Treasurer for the ECWA USA Women fellowship.
Dr. Oleka received Bachelor of Arts degree from Bryan College, Dayton, Tenn., Master of Arts degrees from Wheaton College Graduate School and Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University in curriculum and instruction in teacher education.
Dr. Oleka was the Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Studies at Kentucky State University (KSU). Before going to KSU he served at Eastern Kentucky University, William Tyndale College, Ashland College, and the University of Jos in Nigeria.
His research interests include cross-cultural communication, education and culture, value education, and African-American Experience. His most recent papers are “Africa’s Search for Identity and Quest for an African Theology” and “African and African-American Perceptions of Each Other.”
He serves on the National Planning Committee of the Emerging Leaders Workshop (ELW), Roanoke, Virginia, and on the National Collegiate Honors Council Assessment and Evaluation Committee (NCHS). Dr. Oleka has also been active in the African Christian Fellowship (ACF), and also serves on the curriculum committees of several local schools.
In addition to his wife, Dr. Oleka is survived by his children Onyinyechi “Nyechi” Oleka, Dr. Chimsom T. Oleka and Onyejindu “OJ” Oleka, all of Frankfort; sister Ugbala, Nigeria; brothers, Elder Bennett Olkea, Nigeria; Rev. Cyril Oleka, Nigeria; Rev. James Amanna Oleka, Nigeria; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, at Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church. Burial will follow Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, from 11 a.m. until the start of service at the church.
