Dr. Soni Oyekan June 1st, 1946 – September 18th, 2021

Dr. Soni Oyekan, loving husband, uncle, father, and friend, died Saturday September 18th, at MD Anderson Hospital by the side of his wife, Priscilla. We thank the Lord for the years of life God bestowed on him, and the lives he was able to touch over the years.

Dr. Soni Oyekan was born in Aba, Nigeria and completed his high school studies at St. Paul's College Zaria and Olivet Baptist High School. In 1966, he came to the US to study at Yale University where he earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He continued his studies at Carnegie-Melon University where he obtained his Ph. D while also teaching at the University of Pittsburgh. Over his 42-year career, he acquired 15 patents in the oil refining industry and wrote over 70 publications. He poured his in-depth knowledge and years of technical expertise into his final book, The Catalytic Naptha Reforming Process.

He mentored countless individuals and was a father-figure to many, especially to immigrants that came from humble beginnings like himself. He was a devout Christian and treated everyone he met as a dear neighbor, making people feel welcome everywhere he went.

Dr. Soni Oyekan leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Priscilla Oyekan; 1 son, Femi Oyekan; 3 daughters, Ranti Valdez, Ima Oyekan, and Arit Oyekan; 5 grandsons, Isaiah, Gabriel, Timothy, Josiah, and Jedidiah; a half-sister Kehinde Ekwotafia, as well as a host of half brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins, friends, and neighbors.

A Memorial Service will be conducted on October 15th at 10AM at Calvary Episcopal Church located at 806 Thompson Road, Richmond TX 77469 .

A Visitation for Dr. Oyekan is set for 5 - 7:00 PM Friday, September 24, 2021, at Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors Chapel, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471.

Condolence messages may be written for the Oyekan family at www.garmanycarden.com

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471-0746 .