Prince Timothy Ekong was born May 17, 1938 in Uyo region of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria to the union of Elder Udo Udo Ekong and Madam Sadie Utin Ekong. He was the second of six children including Rev Ndara Ekong (the patriarch), Pst Abraham Ekong (deceased), Dr Edwin Ekong, Madam Nkereuwem Ekong and Madam Alice Brown. He was preceded in death by both parents and brother.

Pa Timothy Ekong completed his primary education in 1951, his secondary education in 1956. He worked for a year before going to College of Technology, Enugu (now University of Nigeria, Enugu) where he obtained his Higher National Diploma (HND) in 1961 on a scholarship. In 1962 on a full ride scholarship, he was admitted into University of Ibadan, Nigeria where he earned his baccalaureate degree in economics. Again on a full scholarship, he went forth to further his education at the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom where he earned his Masters degree in 1964 and was one of very few foreign minorities admitted into that prestigious institution.

He had met his heart-throb Madam Nancy Ekong earlier in his life, got engaged and then completed the customary traditional rites of marriage before departing for the UK. Shortly after his arrival in the UK where his betrothed bride was, they were joined in holy matrimony in 1963. At the completion of their studies, they both returned back to Nigeria. Dad Ekong subsequently worked for various government parastatals and acquired other professional certifications up until his retirement. He was an entrepreneur and established various businesses which augmented his income and enabled him to support and bless many people.

Like his late father, Elder Udo Udo Ekong, T.U. (as fondly called by his siblings) was very big on love, discipline, education, family and leadership. To attest to this, all his four sons and their spouses are university graduates in various professional fields. Along with his elder brother, the patriarch of the family, Rev Ndara Ekong, he was very passionate about progress in the larger family so that, though they were teenagers when their father passed on, they both took the mantle of leadership in ensuring that all their younger siblings were educated and well situated. This extended too to many others within and outside the extended family, who at one point or the other he monetarily sponsored through school, as well as established some in businesses and the trades. He was a mentor and was greatly loved and respected. He loved God and considered himself a prince in God's Kingdom hence the title.

In 2013, together with his wife Madam Nancy, they were led of God to establish a non-profit Childrens' ministry ( Catch Them Young For Christ Foundation ) in their rural village in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The vision and mission of the ministry is to feed and disciple children in the Word of God so that they may go back and evangelize their parents and households and grow in God's knowledge. With God's favour, the ministry has grown from about 25 kids to over 250 today and growing. A great legacy that brings joy to heaven.

Dad Ekong believed in God. Throughout his battle with illness over the years, he had a motto "that nothing shakes me because the Lord is with me". On February 4th, 2019 when he was given only two weeks to live, the Lord changed the story to the amazement of the medical staff. On February 19th, he rededicated his heart to the Lord and then on April 16th, he asked his wife to release him from the earth and to tell everyone to stop praying for him to stay on. Then on April 18th, shortly after the release from his wife, he changed his home address to one more glorious and with high honors entered into eternal rest with the Lord. To God alone be the Glory.

Prince Timothy Udo Ekong is survived by his wife Madam Nancy Ekong, four sons and their spouses Eno & Ubong, Kwame & Joy, Daniel & Ogo and Timothy (Jr); brothers and sisters – Rev Ndara, Dr Edwin, Madam Nkereuwem, Madam Alice; Madam Ini (wife of Pst Abraham); grandchildren, several nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces and more. He completed his race on earth and may his soul rest in perfect peace in the bosom of the Lord.

A Service of Songs is being held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the Compass Church of Bolingbrook , 151 E. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, IL 60440.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 24, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. until the start of a funeral service to be held at 12:00 p.m. at Wheaton Christian Center Church , 610 E. North Ave in Carol Stream, IL.

Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery, 1109 Warrenville Road, Wheaton, IL 60189.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Catch Them Young for Christ Foundation . Gifts may also be given to help defer funeral expenses by clicking here .