John Richard Okumali - Celebrating a Life Well Lived

17/07/2023

How time flew by.

JR Okumali (1933-2022)

17/07/2023

In loving memory of our remarkable father, one year has passed since you left us, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts. Reflecting on your life, we see striking parallels between your character and the legendary King David from the Bible. You were a strong and fearless leader, providing unwavering support to our family and inspiring us with your unyielding spirit and deep faith. Your trust in God's plans and obedience to His guidance during times of uncertainty served as a guiding light, instilling hope even in the darkest moments.

Your boundless generosity knew no limits. Just like King David cared for his people, you constantly sought opportunities to bring joy and lend a helping hand. Through acts of kindness, compassion, and selflessness, you touched countless lives and created a legacy of giving that will forever be etched in our memories. You were a shining example of how one person can make an immense impact on the lives of many.

Above all, your love for our family was immeasurable. Similar to King David, who cherished his loved ones, you enveloped us with a deep and unconditional love that provided comfort and strength. Your guidance and unwavering presence laid a foundation for us and your absence has left an irreplaceable void in our lives.

Today, as we remember you with both tears and smiles, we find solace knowing that you rest in eternal peace. Your legacy lives on through the lives you touched and the lessons you taught. Your unwavering faith, fearless leadership, boundless generosity, and compassionate heart are treasured memories we hold dear.

Although we mourn your absence, we celebrate the incredible life you lived and the remarkable person you were. Your spirit and love continue to inspire us to live courageously, show compassion, and nurture our faith. Rest in peace, dear Dad, as your memory forever resides in our hearts, and may we honor your legacy in all that we do.

17/07/2023

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

2 Cor 5:1

John Richard Okumali
He fought the good fight, he finished his race, he kept the faith.

17/07/2023

Today we celebrate to amazingly grand great people.

Kukhu Lena was able to communicate with her grandchildren and great grandchildren despite age and language barriers. One of my fondest memories is of her hearty laughter as she wondered why anyone would want to drink tea out of a basket... cup, cupu, kikapu - something was getting lost in translation : - ).

Her daily 3am prayers were sounds we slumbered to or through - we awoke, fell asleep again, awoke as she got louder, fell asleep...smiled sleepily when she got to you and prayed for you by name (she prayed for all her children, sons and daughters in love, grandchildren....every day, as the list grew her prayers got longer).

When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be!!!

17/07/2023

02/03/2023

Mwana wa Nyapera bayaye! You are missed.

05/12/2022

You loved simple ways to mark each passing year. This family portrait on your 45th birthday also marked the completion of the Okumali family with the arrival of the last born baby boy.

Our next family portrait will be at our reunion at the pearly gates.

Happy 1st Birthday in heaven.

20/10/2022

Today we celebrate Shujaa J.R. Okumali for the role he played in seeing Kenya established as a nation.

Hongera Shujaa!

17/08/2022

Memories are made from moments like this.

Papa,
It's been a month since God called you home. We look back to the happy times when you danced so joyfully and know that your joy is now complete as you dance and sing in heaven, in the place Christ has prepared for you.

Dance Papa, keep dancing, we too shall join you one day.

We thank God for this far He has brought us.

01/08/2022

Today marks two weeks since you went to be with our Lord.

Today we celebrate you, you fought the good fight, you finished the race, you kept the faith. 2Tim 4:7.

Today we join together and sing one of the last songs we listened to together, over and over at your request. Simple translation - Jesus Paid It All.

A new collaboration from the great rift valley. Awesome tune, funny characters & a good message.

31/07/2022

John Richard Okumali's illustrious career spanned over many decades.

Just curious, can anyone identify any of his colleagues in these pictures?

27/07/2022

Love reunited.

Dad had a favourite shirt. The value wasn't in the price tag, style or label but the fact that it was a gift from his much beloved sister, Mary. Dad loved the shirt and wore it constantly and with that came wear and tear. He would have loved to be laid to rest in that shirt.

We are glad we were able to honour that relationship. This leso (in the photo) that was a constant in our home for the past week, was also a gift from his sister, Mary.

RIP Aunty Mary
RIP Daddy

May the sound of your laughter as you meet again fill heaven above.

26/07/2022

Jehovah, father, you have done it for us. What a glorious celebration of an amazing husband, father, brother and friend.

https://youtu.be/oua1bYoakGM

Let's give God the glory with one of Mzee Richard Okumali's favorite songs which in English is 'Recieve All the Praise'.

Receive all the praise God of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and JR.

Provided to YouTube by Believe SASNyola Luyali · Dr. Ingwe · Dr. Ingwe · Dr. IngweBest of Luhya Music℗ Anderson Ambindi Murunga Under License to CD RUNReleas...

26/07/2022

https://www.facebook.com/100388146100102/posts/104382362367347/
Link to burial.

News & media website

24/07/2022

Even as we mourn the departure of Mzee John Richard Okumali and the empty spaces he leaves behind, we know he has left a legacy of amazing faith and resilience that will live on for generations to come.

24/07/2022

When your son becomes a man - handshake edition.

'A recurring finding is that gazing eyes grab and hold our attention, making us less aware of what else is going on around us (fading to grey). Also, meeting someone’s gaze almost immediately engages a raft of brain processes, as we make sense of the fact that we are dealing with the mind of another person who is currently looking at us. In consequence, we become more conscious of that other person’s agency, that they have a mind and perspective of their own'
BBC.com

23/07/2022

It is with humble acceptance of God’s will that we announce the death of Mzee John Richard Okumali. Mzee Okumali was the son of Musa Akhasayi & Mildred Nyapera who hailed from Shibeye sub location, Butsotso North, Lurambi, Kakamega.

The funeral service for Mzee Okumali will be held on Tuesday, 26th July, 2022 at Church of God in East Africa (K) Mitume, Kitale starting from 10am.

Contributions towards his send off can be sent to +254 724770036 (Miriam Chumbi).

RIP Mzee.

23/07/2022

Mr. and Mrs. Okumali aka Mr. & Mrs. Black aka Mr. & Mrs. Okulafu.

JR loved his name, Okumali, which can loosely be translated to mean a dark skinned man. Since he obviously didn't fit that description his close friends had many nicknames to choose from. Thus Okumali aka Okulafu aka Mr. Black aka Mr. Brown.

Today we call you Mteule, the one God choose to call home.

Rest in peace Mr. Black.

Live in power Mteule.

22/07/2022

Mr. Okumali loved visitors. Even with his open door policy he was fiercely protective over his family and was indeed the priest of his home.

22/07/2022

We can't help but wonder which of his grandchild he was enjoying sing along worship time with. Our guess, he is introducing one of the little ones to his rendition of 'Bwana U Sehemu Yangu'. Sing in heaven's choir JR.

20/07/2022

Thank you Church of God Mitume. JR would have loved the sermon at today's prayer meeting.

2 Cor 5:1 'For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands'.

Aunty Bilha, asante, you had us all in stitches with your testimony. We were reminded of JR's sense of humour, his firm stance for God and his complete conviction that 'to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord'.

JR is now singing and dancing with angels.

Meetings continue on Thursday, 21st and Friday, 22nd July, 2022.

20/07/2022

Friendship over the years. Reunited with your best man, Josek Alushula, in God's presence just four months later.