Newton Steve Ekpo was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria; he is from Akwa Ibom. He married his loving and devoted wife, Lucy Ekpo—who also grew up with him in the same neighborhood in Lagos—on August 26th, 1980. They both arrived in the United States in 1980, to attend undergraduate college at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. In 1985, they moved to Sacramento, California, where they raised their four children, Lloyd, Elizabeth, Elaine, and Estelle. Mr. Ekpo passed away peacefully on February 26, 2012 at UC Davis Medical Center with his family and relatives by his side. He was the BEST example of the most selfless, giving person we know. He would give to people even when he had very little. His dedication to family, as well as commitment to community service, was unmatched; he was well-known as a community peacemaker. Mr. Ekpo was gainfully employed at the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services, in the Child Protective Services unit as a human specialist on child abuse investigations and provided bio-psychological services to diverse populations. In addition, he was also the CEO/Co-founder of Providence Family and Educational Development Center (PFEDC), a marriage and family life counseling service. He was the founder of the Fathers and Families Resource Foundation (FFRF), a subsidiary of PFEDC. He was a Director/Career Guidance Consultant and a certified Mediator in Alternate Dispute Resolution Services (ADR). He was a certified Financial Counselor—coaching, teaching and training families on Christian financial principles for over twenty years. He was the co-founder and first president of the Sacramento Association of Nigerians (SAN), and until his death was the Chair of the Board of Directors of SAN. Further, he served as the first President of African Christian Fellowship (ACF)-Sacramento Chapter, Secretary of the ACF-Sacramento Chapter, Secretary of the ACF-Western Region, as well as the ACF-USA Board as the Director of Building and Preserving the ACF-USA Family and Community. He was also a member of the Elk Grove, California, Rotary Club and Associate Family Life Minister at the Parkway Church of Christ, Sacramento. He was one of the first to be appointed by Elk Grove Mayor Steve Detrick to be on the committee for the Elk Grove Multicultural and Socioeconomic Growth Forum: The Future is Here! in June of 2010. He has received several community awards; among them was an award from Dan Lungren, United States Congressman, Washington, D.C. for the promotion of Fatherhood Initiatives in the City of Elk Grove, California. He received the Outstanding Citizen award from Sacramento and Elk Grove City Councils. He was a certified Hypnotherapist from the American Institute of Hypnotherapy. He was a certified Satellite School Administrator for the Sunset International Bible Institute. He was a member of the Elk Grove High School Parent Teacher Student Association while his children attended Elk Grove High School. He initiated the Northern California Fatherhood Expo Conference held in Elk Grove in June of 2009. A quote from that Fatherhood Conference day was recorded as follows: “I would like to take this opportunity to invite all fathers and grandfathers to be a part of this wonderful and exciting program in our Elk Grove community. Become a mentor to prospective and teen dads in our community. After all, every child deserves and needs an involved, responsible, and committed father. Dads count!” Newton obtained a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology as a Marriage and Family Therapist from National University, a graduate degree in Business Education from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration –concentration in Marketing from Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas. He was in the process of acquiring his Ph.D in Organizational Development at Alliant International University in Fresno, California, which he was to complete in June 2012. Some of his hobbies and interests included being an Elk Grove community soccer coach, refereeing, coaching & running in track & field (He was one of the Olympic Athletes in FESTAC 77 The Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture held in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1977!), reading, travelling, training, conducting seminars, workshops and conferences. Newton is survived by his beautiful, godly, devoted, wife to whom he had been married for 31 years—Mrs. Lucy Ekpo. The rest of his family is as follows: Four children Son: Lloyd Ekpo Daughter: Elizabeth Ekpo Daughter: Elaine Ekpo Daughter: Estelle Ekpo Two Grandchildren Granddaughter: Esther Ekpo Grandson: Micah Ekpo Siblings Mrs. Queenta Urua Mrs. Eka Thomas Mrs. Blessing Aniete Ms. Enoh Ekpo Ms. Imoh Ekpo Mrs. Esther Anomize Mr. Sunday Ekpo Ms. Agnes Ekpo Mrs. Queen Ekpo Mr. David Ekpo Mother Christiana Iquo Abraham Father Mathias Ekpo Newton always accepted God’s call without hesitation. We are consoled by the knowledge that he is in a better place in heaven with God, whom he served ceaselessly and faithfully on earth. We will miss him dearly!!