Dr. John Adeyinka Fashokun, (affectionately called Adeyinka) at the age 69 years old, of Pittsburg, CA, passed away on April 12, 2023 after experiencing unexpected health complications.

Adeyinka was born on March 16, 1954 to Dr. Solomon Oni Adeoti Fashokun and Princess Grace Fadereni Fashokun in Imesi-lle, Osun State, Nigeria.

He received his early education and training from Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, Nigeria earning a National Diploma in General Arts. He then went on to work as a textile designer with Aladire Export Company in Lagos, and later as socio-political cartoonist and graphic designer with The Punch, one of Nigeria's major national news publishers.

Adeyinka had many academic and professional accolades. In the 1980s Adeyinka moved to California to further his education, where he went on to earn a Bachelors of Fine Arts  from California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, CA. He continued his academic journey and earned a Masters of Art Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Art with a minor in Graphic Design and Illustrations. After this he earned his Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in Visual Art Education from the University of San Francisco. Along with receiving these degrees he was awarded several different grants and honors throughout is academic journey. 

Adeyinka dedicated much of his life to education. He was passionate about providing opportunities for people to learn about visual arts, education administration, and Yoruba language and culture. He served in various capacities in the various school districts within the San Francisco Bay Area including the Oakland Unified School District, Alameda Unified School District, Hayward Unified School District, and Mount Diablo Unified School District. He held a Lectureship position at Stanford University and at the University of California, Berkeley, teaching Yoruba Language and Culture.  

 Adeyinka was a passionate artist and in his lifetime he created hundreds of masterpieces. He loved using acrylic paint, water color, and canvas to create these incredible paintings that highlighted his unique style of mixing intricate linework and vibrant colors. Many of his paintings celebrated Nigerian culture. He shared his love of art with the world throughout his academic, professional, and personal life. Every year during the holidays he would send out these beautiful Christmas cards that showcased different original paintings and included his iconic signature.

In his free time he enjoyed golfing, fishing, and folksy tellings of the archetypical Yoruba Arts; does professional consulting in the arts and linguistic programs, education, curriculum development, illustrations, and visual arts; and from time to time, exhibits his artworks including, but not limited to: paintings, photographs, various graphic designs and Illustrations projects, and newspaper cartoons.

His family and friends will fondly remember him as a beautiful soul who filled every space he was in with joy and laughter. He had this playful sense of humor and can put a smile on anyone's face. He was a loving and caring man that provided support to anyone in need. He valued building community, and bringing people together through cooking delicious food, storytelling, and listening to Jazz and Afrobeat music.

Adeyinka leaves behind his spouse Debo Fashokun, and children Adereni Fashokun and Adebusola Fashokun, and step-children Jimmy Obawole and Emmanuel Obawole.

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