HILARY HOSIA
Funeral services in celebration of the life of late United Church of Christ Reverend Jori Lokboj began this week following the initial wake at the UCC headquarters in Uliga Monday.
In the service, Reverend Josen Teico praised Rev. Jori and his family for his lifelong service to the faith. “He even reached to be 92, a rarity to Marshallese,” Teico said.
A biography prepared by the Lokboj family showed Jori dedicated the majority of his life for the church. His whole education background propelled him to be a man of God — he attended Rongrong Intermediate School before pursuing Mwot School Christian School in Tafansak, Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia. Mwot was the UCC’s school for training pastors throughout Micronesia, including Kiribati.
He then attended Owha Theological School in Pohnpei before furthering his religious studies in Hawaii at the Honolulu Christian School and Hawaii Pacific College.
Rev. Jori began his career as an educator for the church in Ebon in 1952, the same year he married his wife, Keta Samson-Lokboj.
Since that time, he taught at his alma mater Rongrong, Ebeye Christian School and Uliga Protestant Christian School before being ordained as pastor in 1966. Rev Jori invested a longtime at Marshalls Christian High School in Rongrong among his many duty stations across the US and in the islands. It was fitting that his body was carried through a row of students from MCHS during the wake service in Uliga.
During the funeral, MCHS students dedicated a song titled “Juon Raan” (one day) in honor of the Rev Jori. Jabat Parliament Member Kessai Note followed the song, showing emotions while delivering the family’s words of thanks.
Iroojlaplap Mike Kabua was also seated with the Lokboj family alongside Kessai in the event.
Lejla Anono Loeak and Iroojlaplap Christopher Loeak and former President and Wotho Nitijela Member David Kabua and Ginger Kabua were the first to embrace Keta and her family in the service. The funeral was attended by members of Parliament and representatives from the various royal families in Majuro and around the Marshall Islands.