Owoidoho Silas

Owoidohoabasi Silas, affectionately known as "Owo," was born on November 11, 1978, in Uyo, Nigeria, at St. Luke's Hospital. He was the second child of the late Mr. Etim Silas Udoh and Mrs. Dominica Okon Akpan. Brother to the late Imaobong, Ubong, and Patience. Owo spent his early years in Raleigh, North Carolina, before moving to Clearwater, Florida, as a teenager when his father accepted a position as an urban planner with the city. Owo was known for his active nature, fearlessness, and sense of humor - a combination that often led to hilarious escapades. He had a deep love for both basketball and football, excelling in both sports with equal passion. However, to calm his mother's concerns about football injuries, he directed his energy solely to basketball. This proved to be a good decision, as he later became the starting shooting guard for the North Carolina under-14 Recreation League state champions. At the same time, it was a decision his mom would later look back on with a tinge of regret, wondering if he could have excelled in football enough to become an NFL player. Owo remained an avid fan of both sports throughout his life, amassing an impressive collection of sneakers along the way- a true "Sneakerhead." Owo's early childhood education began in the Head Start program, an organization close to his mother's heart as a Head Start administrator. He attended Poe International Elementary School in North Carolina, Carnegie Middle School in North Carolina, and Dunedin High School in Florida. While he left high school early, Owo recognized the importance of education and persevered to earn his GED and pursue higher education. He attended St. Petersburg Community College, Palm Beach Community College, and Santa Fe Community College, all on student government leadership scholarships. Ultimately, he graduated from the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville with a business degree. Owo continued his studies and earned a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling with a 3.81 GPA from South University. One of the highlights of Owo's college experience was his time as President of the African Student Union. This period fostered cultural enrichment, allowing him to explore and embrace his Nigerian-American identity. Upon graduating from UF, Owo embarked on a career path with Target, joining their Store Executive Leadership Training program. After several successful years at Target, Owo felt a calling to pursue his true passion: helping at-risk youth and juvenile delinquents. This cause was deeply personal to him, rooted in the challenges and experiences he faced during his own adolescence. Owo shifted his focus to being a dedicated mental health counselor, spending years providing compassionate treatment to individuals, families, couples, and groups grappling with a range of mental health and emotional conditions. Most recently, he worked at a recovery center, assisting individuals struggling with substance abuse. His work at Sandy Pines and Family Preservation Services profoundly impacted countless lives. Owo fiercely loved and protected his extended family, making sure to see his nieces and nephews regularly. He drew guidance and valuable life lessons from his late father, Etim, whom he deeply admired. With his siblings- the love language was " incessant teasing." Whether it was calling Patience's a wannabe Oliva Pope or asking Ubong what exactly it is that he did for a living. Owo was the master of the language- one he extended to his nieces and nephews. He'd make random playful phone calls to them - either to annoy or brighten up their day. All this was done even as he showed up to Kori's dorm move-in day to make sure his nephew had everything he needed, welcome Najee (nephew) back from the military to a karaoke/seafood dinner, cheering loudly at his niece Amber's recital, or happily holding Imani (niece) at her confirmation. Owo was consistent. Perhaps one of the most profound loves that Owo held was that for his mother. She affectionately called him her "beloved," while Owo referred to her as his "Queen" and made sure to celebrate and honor her every day. Owo and Charlotte Silas were blessed with two sons, Aren Owoidohoabasi Silas and Aden Owoidohoabasi Silas, "Bam Bam." Owoidohoabasi and Charlotte raised their two boys together in Jupiter, Florida. They, through shared parenting, planted seeds of love in their children. Owoidohoabasi's children would peer into a crowd and know that daddy was present at all of their activities including soccer games, basketball games, and other scholastic events. The boys often heard his infectious laughter and him cheering for them. Owoidohoabasi celebrated the boys for big and small accomplishments often taking them to buy rewards at Target and sneakers at the Nike store. Owoidohoabasi was an anchor for his family and taught his boys to respect their mother as he modeled caring for his own mother to his children. Owoidohoabasi instilled in his children a passion for lifelong learning and his love for the Florida Gators. Owoidohoabasi enjoyed traveling with his boys which included visiting theme parks in Florida. Owoidohoabasi modeled Gods love in action. The boys often heard him saying "daddy loves you." People gravitated towards Owo. He had a special gift of making friends from all walks of life and making each one feel seen and heard. His sense of loyalty was legendary. Owo had a large circle of friends – some going back to when he was a kid and others that he made as an adult- and we know how hard it is to make new friends as an adult. But not for Owo! If he considered you a friend then you were family and part of the expansive Silas Clan. The Silas family would like to recognize everyone who was a part of Owo's life. Though we are deeply saddened by his sudden loss, we know that Owo would not want any of us to shelter this grief alone. Grief, often isolating, becomes a bridge when shared. Let's lean on each other for support on this journey. We thank you for enriching his life.