Text Box: Obinna James Abarikwu An extremely active child, Obi engaged in various athletic, church and community activities including, The Boy Scouts of America, the church choir and soccer. Obi began playing soccer at the age of six and continued playing until the fall of 2007 when he joined The National Youth Sports League’s Killer Bunnies. Obi, known as Captain Keys, a name taken from one of his favorite characters from a popular video game. Obi served his team as both a striker and goalkeeper. In addition to soccer, Obi also loved swift moving sports such as rollerblading, skateboarding, and bike riding. He continued to develop his various interests through participation in the youth choir at North Scottsdale United Methodist Church. He enjoyed participating in choir performances and music ministry. Excited to learn more about Jesus and his faith, Obi attended Sunday school where he met many of his friends. Obi was an active member of The Boy Scouts of America where he earned the merit of Wolf Scout. Recently, Obi began to learn to play the trumpet and quickly learned to play a few celebratory songs including the Star Spangled Banner. A delightful young man Obi is described by his family as perpetually upbeat, enthusiastic, comical, captivating, and caring. His sincerity, passion for life and intelligence defined his interactions and relationships with others. Obi’s precocious insight could provide others with unexpected comforting and compassionate words when most needed. He found great joy in being a “big brother” to his younger cousins, who in turn looked forward to seeing Obi at the end of each school day and during family visits. Obi will be forever remembered by those lives he touched during his short time with us. He is survived by his parents, Ogbonna and Connie Abarikwu, his brother, Chima, his sister, Kelechi, his maternal grandmother, Donna Okeke, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, classmates, and friends.

Obinna James Abarikwu (“Obi”) was Engr. Ogbonna and Dr. Constantia Abarikwu’s third child. He was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona on April 4, 1997. Prior to his call to glory on January 5, 2008, Obi was a fifth grade student at Copper Canyon Elementary School in Scottsdale, Arizona. While a pupil at Copper Canyon, he actively participated in extra-curricular activities such as sports, music and class drama presentations.  He served as Coyote Patrol (Hall Monitor) for two semesters.  Obi also ran for a student council position.