Timothy Temitope Obayan

Pastor Timothy Temitope Olorunfemi Obayan went to be with the Lord, at 55 years old, in his parish, The Redeemed Christian Church of God House of Grace and Mercy in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, August 22, 2020. He was born May 14th, 1965 in Lagos, Nigeria to late Chief Edwin Olorunfemi Obayan and late Chief Eunice Tinuola Obayan. Tope, as he was fondly called, was energetic, taller and wiser than his years. He attended the University of Lagos Staff School, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos for his primary school education from 1971 - 1976 and Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos where he graduated in 1982 for his secondary school education. He later attended Federal polytechnic, Ilaro Ogun State where he completed Accountancy Studies. Tope made very endearing and lifelong friends at Igbobi College and the Akoka community in Lagos where the family resided during his youthful years. He was the cornerstone of his peers and a network of many loyal friends. He had a way of connecting with people from all facets of life and encouraging them to strive for the higher good. He became a banker in 1985 when he secured employment with Owena Bank. While at the bank Tope joined the employee union and fought for the rights and better working conditions for the employees. His contributions were so significant that he became the Chairman of the NUBIFIE - National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Intuitions Employees. This was a very political and intense position but he triumphed. There was speculation about a possible foray into the politics of Nigeria but as God will have it Tope rededicated himself to the Lord in 1988. He made a determination to share the message of the Lord with friends and anyone who cared to listen even at work. It is at the Owena where he met his then-future wife, Gloria Olawanle Obayan (nee Alaga ) whom he married in August 18, 1990 at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, Nigeria, the mother of his children whom he was dedicated to till the end. (They had just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on August 18, 2020, 4 days before he was called to the Lord). In 1999 Tope and Ola won the USA Diversity Visa Lottery with their three children Oluwasijibomi, Oluwakanyinsola and Ifeoluwa in hand they decided to emigrate to the USA. By now the banking career was behind him. In the USA, they had another addition to the family - Oreoluwa, who is their last child. Upon arriving in Michigan, Tope attended Michigan HVAC School in 1999, where he became a skilled HVAC technician with expertise in commercial chillers and cooling systems. Specifically, in this capacity, he worked at the Pontiac SilverDome - at the time the stadium of the Detroit Lions Football Team, and later Glacier Hills in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Tope was also an entrepreneur who started a commercial cleaning business under the JaniKing franchise in Michigan. His clients included banks and a grocery chain. (He later sold the business before relocating to Arlington Texas.) In Michigan, he made a strong pivot and was on fire for the Lord. He wanted to share the Lord's message with everyone he met. That same year he was ordained as a deacon and served as a young adults and singles leader and house fellowship leader in Winners Chapel in Detroit, Michigan. His service to God at Winners Chapel motivated him immensely that in 2001 he planted a parish, Tabernacle of Peace Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan, now Mountain of the Lord. He later went back to Winners Chapel in Detroit in 2003-2006 and was an assistant pastor in 2005. Throughout this time, Tope was a loving and supportive husband. He supported his wife as she continued her education in accounting/auditing from 2001 to 2005. In 2006, he relocated to the Dallas, Texas metropolis with his family and continued his HVAC trade while working at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning and Reliant Air Conditioning from 2006-2008. (He then worked as an HVAC technician at Arlington Independent School District from 2008-2010 and at Fort Worth Independent School District from 2010-2017). During this time, Tope started another parish, Armor of God Bible Fellowship, now known as House of Grace and Mercy in 2007. He was subsequently ordained as a full-time pastor in 2010. While serving faithfully as a parish pastor, he was later appointed as the Headquarter Prayer Coordinator in 2019, where he was one of the Monthly Coordinators of Mount Zion Hour. Shortly before his passing, he was also appointed as a Zonal Coordinator in June 2020. Tope was also a caring, jovial, and easy-going father. Tope made sure his wife and children are deeply rooted in the bible and the Lord. His devoted wife, Gloria is also a Pastor in the House of Grace and Mercy Church and his children are actively involved as well in various capacities from drummer to choir member. Before he passed away, he was in the process of getting a state license in order to start his own Heating and Cooling business while also very involved in the family business. His legacy will be continued with the Grace of God by his family and the many lives he touched along the way. Adieu, Pastor Timothy Temitope Obayan till we meet again in the Kingdom of God. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and is survived by family and friends all over the world. Namely, his wife, Gloria Olawanle Obayan, and children, Oluwasijibomi Obayan, Oluwakanyinsola Obayan, Ifeoluwa Obayan, and Oreoluwa Obayan. Pastor Obayan also leaves behind his siblings: Chief Olakunle Obayan, Yeye Otunba Gbemisola Oduntan (nee Obayan), Babatunde Obayan, Olabiyi Obayan, Olayemi Shoneye (nee Obayan), Olakusibe Obayan, Olayiwola Obayan, Demola Obayan, Abisoye Obayan, and Sefunma Obayan. Wade Family Funeral Home 817-274-9233