Oking, Charles:
Charles Achiri Oking was born on January 1, 1967 at Bura-Kamach village, Panyikwara, in what is now Magwi County, to Ezekiel Okeny and Beminia Ayet. He was the eighth born and the third boy in a family of nine. His real birth name was Charles Achire Okeny, but this was mis-transcribed from its Arabic script rendering into its present form at the UN Office in Cairo, Egypt, while being processed for resettlement to Canada.
Charles grew up in the village of his birth, learning farming and other chores that rural Acholi children customarily find themselves drawn to. Because of the recurrent civil wars in the old Sudan, however, he did not unfortunately go far beyond the Middle School (Intermediate) level with his education. In 1989, as the second civil war in the Sudan intensified and University of Juba was relocated to Khartoum, Charles found himself obliged to move there as well, the university being the source of income for supporting his family and dependents.
Years later, as the regime of Al-Bashir became more and more desperate and repressive, Charles decided to leave the country for Egypt in pursuit of opportunities for resettlement in the West. Eventually, at last, he and his family were among a number of immigrant families that the government of Canada granted their requests to immigrate to the country. And they’ve remained in their adopted country since then up to the present time.
After the war in Sudan ended in 2005 and South Sudan became an independent country six years later on July 9, 2011, Charles expressed the desire one day to return home to his country of origin. It was the insecurity that resulted from the civil war that broke out in the young country in 2013 that deferred his yearning to return home. This was unfortunately cut short with his passing on January 31, 2021. He leaves behind seven children- Chara, Diana, Jacob, Jennifer, Richard, Michele, and Jane (Jane being the daughter of his sister Olga, whom he adopted in order to come with him to Canada).
Charles was a very sociable person. He loved socializing with people of all backgrounds, irrespective of their places of origins. In his years of living in Canada, he has made friends to many people, from Kitchener to Calgary and Edmonton. He’ll be missed by all those who knew him. May the Almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace. Amen.
Charles' family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 20th, 2021 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener. Those wishing to attend Charles' visitation must RSVP through the funeral home website or by calling 519-749-8467. Face masks are mandatory.
Visit www.henrywalser.com for Charles' memorial.