Jacob Ayodele Oyeniyi Olatoye

SUNRISE  - DECEMBER 31, 1941          SUNSET – SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

With gratitude to God Almighty, we announce the transition of our beloved Jacob Ayodele Oyeniyi Olatoye.  Mr. Jacob Olatoye slept in the Lord on Wednesday, September 12, 2018.

He was born on December 31, 1941 at Ifaki Ekiti to parents who traded in textiles and school supplies: Pa Samuel Olatoye & Victoria Sawe Olatoye (both transitioned to eternal glory).  Jacob started schooling at Methodist School in Odo-Igbira now known as Odo Aiyedun in 1947.  Pa Samuel moved his family to Okemesi Ekiti to continue their education in 1950.

Later that year, Jacob opted to go and live with his grandmother and his older sister, Deborah Omolayo.  The transition was initially difficult for young Jacob as his grandmother was no nonsense when it came to his school work and instilling a strong work ethic.  However, he soon settled in with his grandmother until he returned home with his parents in 1951 to join them in their trading and farming.

The virtues of formal education were also stressed in the Olatoye household as Pa Samuel always wanted all of his children to take the first position in their class work.  Jacob not only aspired to do his best in school, but also developed a commitment to continuous learning and advancement that followed him throughout his life.  He graduated from primary school in 1956 and proceeded to modern school in 1957.  He transferred to Efon-Alaye in 1958 where he graduated and completed his education.

In 1960, he embarked on a teaching career that took him to many local areas of Ekiti and in 1963 he gained admission to Teachers College in Usi Ekiti.  He spent two years in the college and following graduation he was posted to Okiti Pupa Division in Ikale-Ilaje district, Ayila township in 1965.

During this time in the Ikale-Ilaje, Ayila township Jacob was charged with the responsibility of caring for his youngest brother, Oyewole.  Per tradition in Yoruba culture, an older sibling takes care of a younger sibling in order to elevate the entire family.  Soon, Jacob also took charge of his older sister’s daughter, Janet Mojirade Amoloja (nee Ogunlola).  Jacob with his young brother & niece spent four years in the Ikale-Ilaje area where he ensured that they were cared for and received the best formal education possible.  He was then posted to Saint John’s School, Ara-Ijero Ekiti for two years until he was transferred to Erijiyan Ekiti in 1971.  While in Ara-Ijero Ekiti, Jacob, yet unmarried with no children of his own, continued to extend himself as a custodian for kids from the Olatoye clan and welcomed his nephew, Olumide Olatoye, into his care. 

Jacob did what many would not, or could not, do at that time as he pursued his career aspirations and maintained a household of extended family.

Jacob left the teaching profession in the summer of 1972. He joined the British-American Insurance Company as an agent, and began managing Ijebu-Ode district.  He had several subsequent employment relationships with many other insurance companies in a managerial capacity.

Jacob relocated to the United States of America in March 1982.  Even at the age of 40, Jacob remained committed to education and advancement.  Upon arrival in Cleveland, Ohio, USA he enrolled at Cuyahoga Community College and after a year and half, transferred to Dyke College to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Economics.  He relocated to Maryland, USA in the mid 1980s where he completed a Master’s degree in Business at Southeastern University in Washington, DC.  With an advanced degree, he demonstrated to his siblings and children that you are never to old to learn – education is a life-long learning endeavor.

Working while putting himself through college, he worked as a security guard at several companies, an independent ice cream vendor, and a tax preparer at H&R Block, a substitute teacher, and a courier.  Jacob was a go-getter and believed that a person could do whatever they put their mind to.

 In 1997, Jacob began working at Sprint-Nextel in accounts payable for 11 years until he retired in 2008.

In retirement, Jacob continued to grow his business Rightway Financial Services, Inc., a tax preparation & financial planning services business.  For many years he assisted many clients with their tax and/or financial matters.  However, Jacob was also known to assist many of his clients with other concerns that they might have unrelated to his business.  He always had extra time to lend a listening ear to his clients and often was quick to connect them with whatever resource he knew of to assist with their problem, whether it was an attorney or a mechanic that he might know.

Jacob and his family have been members of Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, MD for more than 20 years and the church family has been an extension of the Olatoye family even at this very difficult time.  Throughout his time in the DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas, Jacob was involved in a variety of charitable, social, and community organizations including Ekitikete, Maryland, where he served as its president for three years.   

In his leisure time, Jacob enjoyed movies, particularly classic movies. He surprisingly loved outdoor/adventures, walking on beaches, hiking in the Pocono woods, horseback riding, and cruising the Caribbean cruises. Jacob also enjoyed television shows such as “Alaska Bush People”.  Jacob enjoyed American Football and, first, became a hardcore fan of The Cleveland Browns, then The Baltimore Ravens. After church in his household, you better not touch the remote control, especially when it was football season!  His love of sports was not limited to NFL, NBA, and the collegiate games.  During his formative years, he played soccer (as attested by scars on his legs) without his parent’s knowledge.  And when there was one injury or another that prevented him from going to school, he had to self-report himself that he sustained the injuries while playing soccer after he finished his school work.  Jacob’s father unamused still had to assess the proper discipline!  

Jacob, a typical Yoruba man, loved being surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He loved to share meals and treats with them.

Jacob Ayodele Oyeniyi Olatoye is survived by his wife, at the time of his transition, Sharese Ann Olatoye and his children.  He was previously married in Nigeria to Beatrice Modupe Olatoye with whom he had his children: Oluwafunmilayo, Oluwatoyin, Abiodun, Oluwasanmi, Oyekemi, and Oyebimpe. There is also Oyeladun who came right after Oluwatoyin.  With Sharese Ann Olatoye he had his youngest children: Oyewumi and Oyedayo.  He is grandfather to 27 children.  He is also survived by three brothers, Moses Oyejola, Akinboye Abraham and Oyewole, many nephews, nieces, cousins and a host of loved ones who will miss his earthly presence dearly but rejoice that he has now woken up in the arms of The Lord.

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