More Than a Member: Remembering the Life and Leadership of Hon. Larry Johnson

The Eko Club International community is in mourning following the sudden passing of Hon. Attorney Larry Johnson, a revered member of the Eko Club Houston Chapter and former Legal Adviser to the global body.

EpeInsights reports that Johnson passed away unexpectedly during a trip to Cancun, Mexico, where he had traveled to join friends in celebrating a 70th birthday.

His death, reportedly the result of a tragic bathroom accident, has left members across chapters in deep sorrow.

In an emotional show of unity and remembrance, members of the club who were present in Cancun gathered on Saturday evening to hold a candlelight vigil in his honor. Surrounded by flickering lights and tearful tributes, colleagues and friends reflected on Larry’s life, service, and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.

A Legacy of Leadership, Humility, and Service

Attorney Larry Johnson was more than a member of ECI—he was a pillar, a friend, and a servant-leader. His roles included President of Eko Club Houston, Legal Adviser to ECI, and a respected figure within the organization’s Dream Team that worked under President Emeritus Otunba T.J. Abass during a key period in the club’s evolution.

“Larry was not just a member; he was a committed leader, a generous giver, and a man of great integrity who always stood for justice and the less privileged,” said Hon. Olatunji Anthonio “OBA” of the California Chapter in a powerful tribute. “He did it all with grace, with purpose, and with love.”

The loss resonated strongly with Attorney O.J. Lawal, President Emeritus of Eko Club International, who described Johnson’s passing as “a devastating blow to the very soul of the organisation.”

“Larry was dependable, principled, and humble. As Legal Adviser, he brought clarity and fairness to the table. As a friend, he brought laughter and wisdom,” Lawal said.

“We have lost a rare gem, but we must now commit to upholding the values he stood for—honor, unity, and service.”

A Grieving Chapter, A United Family

The Eko Club Houston Chapter, where Johnson served with distinction, has been especially shaken by his death.

Kunle Alaka, current President of the chapter, extended his heartfelt condolences in a message to members:

“Larry was a man of intellect, dignity, and purpose. His death is not just a loss to his immediate family, but to us all. May we find strength in our unity and comfort in the memories we shared with him.”

The suddenness of Johnson’s passing has sparked deep reflection within the ECI community. “Just 24 hours before, he was laughing, celebrating, and full of life,” one member recounted at the Cancun vigil. “Now he is gone. It’s a reminder of how fragile life truly is.”

A 24-Hour Silence in His Honor

As a mark of respect, ECI President Otunba T.J. Abass called for a 24-hour pause in all communication across the organization’s platforms.

In a solemn message to members, he urged them to reflect on Larry’s life and legacy: “His light will never dim in Eko Club International. Let us live more intentionally, serve more sincerely, and love more deeply, just as he did.”

The tribute closed with a Yoruba adage: “Ti iku ba pa ojugba eni, o we ni o pa fun ni” reminding all of the humility that comes with the loss of a peer.

Final Farewell

Hon. Larry Johnson is remembered as a man whose calm presence, sharp intellect, and unwavering dedication brought progress and cohesion to Eko Club International. Though his journey ended too soon, his legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew him and in the organization he helped strengthen.

As candles burned under the Cancun sky, so too did the collective grief and gratitude of an organisation forever changed by his life and now, his loss.