Echoes of Dr. Lateef Olaniyan’s Final Journey

                                           By Sunday Oyinloye

A deep sense of loss mixed with gratitude filled the atmosphere at the Generations Church, 431 Brown Ave, Moses Lake, WA on June 6, 2026, as family members, friends, colleagues and community leaders gathered to pay their final respects to Dr. Lateef Olaniyan, founder of the Moses Lake Medical Team, and owner of Southgate Pharmacy, Moses Lake, and Benton Southgate Pharmacy in Prosser, both in Washington State.

For many in attendance, the occasion was not merely a funeral but a celebration of a life dedicated to service, compassion and the wellbeing of others. Since 2008, Dr. Lateef Olaniyan faithfully led the Moses Lake Medical Team on annual free medical missions to Nigeria bringing compassionate healthcare to communities.

As speaker after speaker took turns to honour his memory, a common theme emerged: Dr. Olaniyan was a man who lived for others. Whether through his commitment to providing healthcare for the underserved, his generosity to those in need, or his unwavering dedication to community service, the late pharmacist left an indelible mark on the lives of thousands.

Speaking at the funeral service, a representative of the Moses Lake Medical Team, Francie Irwin described the passing of Dr. Lateef Olaniyan as a painful loss.

The representative traced the formation of the Moses Lake Medical Team to 2007, when Dr. Olaniyan conceived the idea.

According to her, through the team, Dr. Olaniyan was able to provide medical care to more than 100,000 people during his lifetime, stressing that he literally saved countless lives.

Also paying tribute, Tanya Valdez, who worked for Dr. Olaniyan in his pharmacy for 16 years, described the late pharmacist as a father figure who eventually became her best friend.

In her words: “Dr. Lateef was more than a boss; he was a father figure and my best friend. Even when his health was failing, he remained focused on helping others with health challenges. He often called me his daughter. He was the father figure I needed, and I do not know how I will live my life without him.”

For Michael, the eldest son of Dr. Lateef Olaniyan, memories of his father are defined not only by professional accomplishments but by the simple, enduring values that shaped his life.

Describing his father as a hardworking man, Michael recalled spending countless hours driving around town with him and playing basketball together. Yet, what stood out most was his father’s extraordinary ability to connect with people.

According to him, a quick trip anywhere with Dr. Olaniyan was almost impossible.

“He was a man of the people,” Michael recalled. “Everywhere we went, he knew someone. He would stop to greet people, ask about their families and spend time talking with them.”

Those interactions reflected a philosophy that guided Dr. Olaniyan throughout his life. He believed that every individual had a story worth hearing and deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.

That same wisdom shaped his relationship with his children.

Michael recounted a particularly difficult period after graduating from college and relocating to San Francisco. As he struggled to find his footing professionally, he turned to his father for guidance.

“I called him because things were not going the way I expected and I was looking for advice,” he said. “His response was simple: ‘Just do your best.'”

It was a phrase that became a defining principle in the family. Rather than offering easy solutions, Dr. Olaniyan shared stories of his own journey after arriving in the United States in 1981 and the obstacles he had overcome through perseverance, hard work and faith.

To his son, those conversations revealed a man whose success was built on resilience and determination.

Despite spending decades in the United States, Dr. Olaniyan never lost touch with his roots. Family trips to Nigeria often became lessons in humility and belonging.

Michael recalled that whenever they visited, his father would make it a point to stop and greet relatives, friends and acquaintances, no matter how busy the schedule. “He never forgot where he came from,” he said.

One of Michael’s most treasured memories was a trip to Nigeria in 2014 when he visited his grandfather, who was then 96 years old. The encounter remains vivid in his mind, not least because of the striking resemblance between his father and grandfather.

For the Olaniyan family, the late pharmacist’s life was defined by service that extended beyond family and profession. His generosity, kindness and willingness to help others transcended geographical and cultural boundaries. “He lived his life for the community and for humanity,” Michael said.

Yet amid the celebration of a life well lived, there remains a profound sense of loss.

Michael reflected on the reality that his father will not be physically present to witness one of the most important milestones in his life-his wedding, scheduled to take place in the coming months.

Dr. Olaniyan’s second son, Hakeem, described his father as a kind-hearted man whose guidance helped shape his life.

“He was always teaching me how to navigate life. He left a great legacy for the family and the community,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Olaniyan extended family, Bobby Bayo Olaniyan expressed gratitude to all those who stood by the family during its time of grief.

He described his brother as a compassionate and selfless man who led several free medical missions to Nigeria, dedicating much of his life to helping others.

According to him, Dr. Olaniyan inherited his spirit of kindness from their father, who was the first person to establish a chemist shop in their hometown. He recalled that his brother’s passion for pharmacy began at an early age, as he spent much of his childhood alongside their father in the shop, learning the profession that would later define his career.

He noted that Dr. Olaniyan’s love extended beyond his immediate family to Nigerians from all walks of life, particularly the less privileged. Through his generosity, humanitarian efforts and commitment to service, he earned the admiration and affection of many people both at home and abroad.

“The family, and indeed Nigerians, will miss this great man,” he said.

He thanked everyone for their support, with special appreciation to members of the Moses Lake Medical Team, Dr. Olaniyan’s staff, friends, the wider community and family members for their unwavering support.

In his sermon, Pastor Emmanuel Jatau admonished everyone to live exemplary lives, using Dr. Olaniyan as an example. He noted that anyone who encountered the deceased would undoubtedly have something positive to say about him.

“Dr.Olaniyan was a good man who sometimes ran his business at a loss in order to assist people. There were even times when he did not pay himself a salary.His priority was serving humanity. He did not have the love of money at heart; rather, his focus was on helping others.

“He was rich in good deeds. He was generous and gave himself wholeheartedly for the benefit of others. He cared for the sick, served the community selflessly, and welcomed strangers. He was among those who warmly received other Africans in Moses Lake, and virtually every African in the community has something good to say about him,” said the pastor.

Perhaps one of the most poignant moments of the funeral service came not from a family member, but from a longtime member of the Moses Lake community who attended both the church service and the graveside ceremony to pay his final respects despite being on oxygen.

The man, visibly moved by the occasion, spoke about Dr. Lateef Olaniyan’s contributions to the community and the positive influence he had on countless lives over the years.

Recalling their early years in Moses Lake, he noted that he, Dr. Olaniyan and another individual were among the first Black residents to settle in the community. At a time when diversity was limited and opportunities for minorities were often constrained, the three men forged lives for themselves and helped pave the way for others who would follow.

According to him, Dr. Olaniyan distinguished himself through his kindness, generosity and commitment to serving others. He described him as a man who built bridges across racial, cultural and social divides and whose contributions extended far beyond his professional role as a pharmacist.

His determination to attend the service and graveside ceremony while receiving oxygen support was itself a testament to the enduring friendship he shared with Dr. Olaniyan and the deep respect he held for him.

His presence underscored the lasting relationships Dr. Olaniyan cultivated throughout his lifetime and the profound impact he made on the community he called home for decades.

Though, Dr. Lateef Olaniyan would have turned 68 on August 15, 2026, his legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the community he helped build in Moses Lake, and the enduring impact of his service both in America and in his native Nigeria.