The Elmsoxogu Family is heartbroken by Whyte Elmsoxogu's passing. Whyte will be remembered as a proud family man, a loyal and generous friend, and a gentle soul. Whyte was ambitious and dreamed big. He was born in Abua, Rivers State, Nigeria to Francis and Apanaan Woome. He was raised by his Aunt Mary, a nurse who he fondly called "Mama". Mama sponsored Whyte's primary and secondary school education, disciplined him, and took him to church. Whyte was a choir boy in the 1950s. He excelled in mathematics and sciences as a secondary school student in the 1960s. As a young man living in Port Hartcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria during the 1970s, he taught mathematics, physics and chemistry to secondary school students. After teaching, he studied at the Rivers State College of Science and Technology. He then worked at the oil company Shell BP as part of the team that refined oil. He also worked at the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources where he was responsible for treating and distilling drinking water for urban and suburban areas. In 1981, he immigrated to New York City to continue his education in chemical engineering. Whyte loved music of all genres. While living in Port Hartcourt in the 1970s, neighbors and friends often heard him playing native music from such Nigerian artists as Rex Lawson and Fela Ransome Kuti, but also American music from such artists as Brook Benton, James Brown, Linda Ronstadt, Nat King Cole, Dolly Parton, Everly Brothers, Jim Reeves, and he even played reggae, disco, and classical music. He continued his love of music in New York City and his wife and children remember often waking up to a home filled with rhythm, melody, soul, instrumentals, and such. The last musical piece that Whyte heard was Brook Benton's "Think Twice," which his wife played for him at the Beth Abraham Center For Rehabilitation and Nursing during a skype call. Whyte appreciated the arts. He collected figurines, paintings, and old books. He enjoyed movies and documentaries, and some of his favorites were "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" and "When We Were Kings," and he never missed an episode of Gil Noble's "Like It Is." Whyte took cherished and valuable photographs of his family. He also took photographs of his friends, co-workers, and scenes from his neighborhood. He was so busy taking photographs that, regrettably, he did not have enough photographs taken of himself. Whyte took care with how he presented himself and liked to be out and about. He regularly wore suits because he believed that to be important one must dress to look important. As a single man in Nigeria he had numerous friends and frequented nightclubs and parties. He suffered a debilitating stroke in 2013, yet he was always conscious of how he looked and wanted to be able to walk again. Whyte loved life and it is so sad that he spent his last days in physical pain and unable to speak. During the seven years that he was wheelchair bound because of his stroke and ensuing disability, his family was there for him. His wife and children visited him at the nursing home in which he resided almost every day, to make sure that he was okay and to pray for him. During holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, his wife and children brought him home to spend time and celebrate. It was after the COVID-19 lockdown and when families were not allowed to visit loved ones in nursing homes that Whyte took a turn for the worse. He rapidly degenerated physically and mentally, developed deep wounds and infections from bed sores, and he was unable to eat or speak. Still, his family believed that he could overcome his illnesses and prayed for him every day. It was a shock to hear of his passing. Whyte will be dearly missed by his wife, Salome Elmsoxogu; his daughter, Ebieten; his sons, Kitami, Mirode, Meruny, Danigey, and Diteyn; his cousin Asele Woy who lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and a number of other family members in Rivers State, Nigeria, including brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins.