It is a somber mood at the Parry Oketch’s family house in Pageya Laroo in Gulu district.
Oketch, 73, who skippered the Uganda Cranes in the late 60’s, died on the 26th September 2014 at Gulu referral Hospital.
The former Assistant superintendent of Prisons officer awaits his final ceremony (burial) on earth this coming Saturday, 4th October 2014.
The delay for the burial is a result of the transit journey for one of his four children, Lt. Joseph Okello Oketch who is one of the officers on a peace keeping mission in the horn of Africa nation, Somalia.
“He was a disciplined and hard working player, who respected all – teammates, officials and even opponents”, Charles Tills Kilama, a brother to the deceased told Kawowo Sports on Monday.
Prior to his death, Oketch had since retired from public service where he served in the Police and Prisons departments as well as in the security wing of the National Water and Sewage corporation.
“What I remember about Dad‘s (Oketch) career as a footballer was a time when he scored Prisons’ only goal in match against Police. That goal earned him a call to the senior national team”, his older son, Sunday Otim says.
FUFA paid tribute to the family of the deceased when the Cranes players traveled to Gulu for the Cranes Na-Mutima northern region tour.
The late Oketch will be buried on Saturday adjacent to his family house in Pageya Laroo, Gulu.
He leaves behind a widow, Betty Owoda Oketch, 4 children; Sunday Otim, Moses Odoch, Stellah Lanyero and Lt. Joseph Okello Oketch and several grand children.
The widow, Betty Owoda Oketch in a plight state at the Pageya Laroo Villiage.
Parry Oketch Profile:
Full Names: Parry Oketch
Date of Birth: 23rd June 1941
Parents: Joshua Ojul and Esther Laruni
Place of Birth: Pageya, Gulu
Education: Paicho, Atede and Pakwdo primary schools, Gulu High School (O-level), Fatima Teachers Training College, Gulu, Institute of Public Accountants (Diploma in Public Administration)
Widow: Betty Owoda Oketch
Children: Sunday Otim, Moses Odoch, Stellah Lanyero and Lt. Joseph Oketch Okello
Employment Record: National Football Player (Uganda Cranes – 1964 – 68), O.C Prisons Kamuli, Assistant superintendent of Prisons officer, Head of Security, National Water and Sewage Corporations, Gulu Branch.
Date of Death: 26th September 2014