Odhiambo W. Okite

Odhiambo W. Okite 62, Wausau, died Thursday May 25, 2006, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born September 12, 1943, in Rusinga Island, Kenya, son of the late Wilson and Joan (Omolo) Okite. On October 24, 1967, he married Carol Ann Blanc in Arlington, Virginia. Odhiambo studied at Kisii Secondary School; Inter-American University, Puerto Rico; Wheaton Graduate School of Theology, Wheaton, Ill.; and The Washington Journalism Center, Washington, D.C. He interned at Time, Inc. before returning to Kenya where he taught in secondary schools and at Kenyatta University College. From 1970-1979 he was Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Target/Lengo newspapers. He served the Government of Kenya as Chief Press Officer, Chief Government Information Officer, National Advisor UNESCO Rural Newspapers Extension Program, Head of Kenya News Agency, Chief News Editor for Voice of Kenya national radio and television network, and National Advisor UN Population Communication Program at Kenya Institute of Mass Communication. Odhiambo left Kenya for medical treatment in the US in 1990. After losing his sight, he moved to Wausau for a rehabilitation program for the Visually Impaired at Northcentral Technical College. He worked as a freelance journalist and consultant. In 1992, he organized the Homes Conference on Homelessness and Inadequate Housing and founded the Wausau In-House Network (WIN). Odhiambo was an avid reader and loved visiting, conversing and playing music with friends and family. Survivors include his wife, Carol Ann Okite, Wausau, their children, John (Dawn) Okite, Wausau, and their family, Melissa, Brian and Laurence; Thomas (Elizabeth) Okite, Rockford, Ill., and their daughters, Annabelle and Sophia; Nathan (Anaclaire) Okite, Boston, Mass.; Daniel Okite, Wausau, and his daughter, Arianna, a brother, Peter (Krystal) Okite, Wausau, and other extended family. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wed., May 31, 2006 at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Wausau. The final resting place will be in Rusinga Island, Kenya. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, and again on Wed. from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. A memorial fund is being established in his name.